Entertainment Technology News

Broadcast Traffic Systems (BTS) has completed a new implementation of its Enterprise broadcast management system. This includes the latest BTS Programme Management, Scheduling and Gateway (automation interface) modules tailored to the operational workflow of Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) and the recently launched Baraem channel.

Available in much of the Middle East and parts of Europe, JCC produces approximately 40 per cent of its own programmes, supplemented by content sourced internationally. JCC also offers interactive content for children at its website.

Baraem is the first Arabic pre-school television channel for children between three and six years of age. Its goal is to educate young audiences and facilitate their safe interaction with the surrounding world. Funded by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science & Community Development, Baraem currently broadcasts 17 hours daily to the Arab world and Europe. It is free to view on Arabsat, Nilesat and Hotbird.

"Al Jazeera has chosen Enterprise to deliver fully integrated broadcast traffic management in conjunction with Pebble Beach automation," explains Craig Buckland, Technical Director at BTS. "We have worked in partnership with JCC to introduce a range of features specific to its requirements. These include the ability for our schedule to be used to trigger a Miranda Vertigo XG graphic processor, generating promos for upcoming programmes. Enterprise is interfaced to the automation system via a BTS automation link module."

Enterprise is a modular application with all the options needed to manage traffic scheduling and advertising sales. It runs on an open platform supporting all leading hardware, operating systems and databases. Interfaces to other systems can be created by individual users. Configuration and security settings are easily adjusted to match specific workflows.

Enterprise can be linked seamlessly with automation systems so that data can be shared between both processes. In addition to playlist and as-run interfaces, it is also possible to reconcile the Enterprise and automation material databases to ensure schedulers have access to real-time ingested material information. Schedule content is fully validated against all the pre-defined rules and checks. These include checks for program rights violations, timing errors, missing media and invalid copy rotations. Configurable schedule validation ensures error-free broadcast output.

Real-time updating of advertising sales schedules and associated break availability enable sales staff to react quickly to schedule changes. Commercial spots can be immediately rescheduled, ensuring that revenues are maximised. Graphical availability views and alerts inform users of airtime to be filled and any breaks or over-booked programmes. Comprehensive management reporting and graphical analysis tools are included. These are based on the operational database, ensuring that management information is always fully up to date. The information is also available over the Internet using the standard BTS user-interface, allowing remote access to management information.

BTS specialises in the development and provision of traffic management software for the broadcast industry. Applications are developed using Web Services technology allowing software delivery and support using standard browser interfaces, scalable for single and multi-channel operations. Using standard technology, BTS can offer high quality solutions at cost-effective prices. BTS has extensive experience in broadcasting that enables the company to produce solutions that cover all key areas including programme asset management, scheduling, media management, traffic and advertising sales. BTS has clients throughout the world including major customers such as MTV, Al Jazeera and CNBC.

About Broadcast Traffic Systems Ltd: Visit www.bts.tv

See Broadcast Traffic Systems on stand 3.B21 at IBC2009, Amsterdam, September 11-15