• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • TV/Radio Deals
  • Film partnerships
  • New appointments
  • Production
  • TV Channels
Embracing new technology

Embracing new technology

December 21, 2016
Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

July 10, 2025
Ad 1
Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

July 10, 2025
Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

July 10, 2025
Lionsgate appoints Adam Fogelson as Vice Chair of Motion Picture Group

Semafor names Matthew Martin Saudi bureau chief and SWF editor

July 10, 2025
AfTIAS 2.0 drives ICT-led economic transformation in Algeria

AfTIAS 2.0 drives ICT-led economic transformation in Algeria

July 10, 2025
The Match Factory announces global deals for Palestinian film ‘All That’s Left of You’

The Match Factory announces global deals for Palestinian film ‘All That’s Left of You’

July 10, 2025
Dubai’s Malayalam radio station Hit 96.7 FM celebrates 21 years

Dubai’s Malayalam radio station Hit 96.7 FM celebrates 21 years

July 10, 2025
SES introduces new platform for live sports distribution

Dentsu launches sports analytics arm in MENA

July 9, 2025
Lockheed Martin welcomes 44 interns to tech internship in Abu Dhabi

Lockheed Martin welcomes 44 interns to tech internship in Abu Dhabi

July 9, 2025
Nokia, CST and partners launch 4.0 GHz neutral host network in KSA

Nokia, CST and partners launch 4.0 GHz neutral host network in KSA

July 9, 2025
Cinema Akil brings back ‘Summer of Classics’ season

Cinema Akil brings back ‘Summer of Classics’ season

July 9, 2025
Etisalat collaborates with Moonbug Entertainment

Moonbug releases report on what families truly expect from media and marketing

July 9, 2025
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Magazine Archive
  • Directory
  • Contact
Thursday, July 10, 2025
  • Login
BroadcastPro ME
  • News
    • All
    • Analyst Reports
    • AV
    • Cinema Theatres
    • Esports
    • Film partnerships
    • International News
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • New appointments
    • OTT/Video Streaming
    • Podcasting
    • Production
    • Satellite/Comms
    • TV/Radio Deals
    Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

    Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

    Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

    Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

    Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

    Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

    Lionsgate appoints Adam Fogelson as Vice Chair of Motion Picture Group

    Semafor names Matthew Martin Saudi bureau chief and SWF editor

    AfTIAS 2.0 drives ICT-led economic transformation in Algeria

    AfTIAS 2.0 drives ICT-led economic transformation in Algeria

    The Match Factory announces global deals for Palestinian film ‘All That’s Left of You’

    The Match Factory announces global deals for Palestinian film ‘All That’s Left of You’

    Dubai’s Malayalam radio station Hit 96.7 FM celebrates 21 years

    Dubai’s Malayalam radio station Hit 96.7 FM celebrates 21 years

    SES introduces new platform for live sports distribution

    Dentsu launches sports analytics arm in MENA

    Lockheed Martin welcomes 44 interns to tech internship in Abu Dhabi

    Lockheed Martin welcomes 44 interns to tech internship in Abu Dhabi

    Nokia, CST and partners launch 4.0 GHz neutral host network in KSA

    Nokia, CST and partners launch 4.0 GHz neutral host network in KSA

    Trending Tags

    • broadcast
    • MENA broadcast
    • ConnecTech2019
  • Tech Features
    • All
    • CASE STUDIES
    • New Media
    • REVIEWS
    • TV/Radio Deals
    • Updates from FOMEX
    • Virtual Production Series
    Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

    Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

    Playing to win

    Playing to win

    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The expanding role of AI in broadcast

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

    Trending Tags

    • Videos
      FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

      FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

      Reema Omari

      Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

      Mustafa Afifi

      Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

      Don

      ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

      KSASummit

      Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

    • Opinion
      Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

      Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

      Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

      Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

      Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

      Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

      Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

      Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

    • Interviews
      • All
      • Lounge
      Sand, sweat and high stakes

      Sand, sweat and high stakes

      All eyes on AIUIa

      All eyes on AIUIa

      Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

      Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      UAE Pro League flips the field

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Bringing the wild to the Middle East

      Shades of success

      Shades of success

      Navigating the news wave

      Navigating the news wave

    • Products
    • Magazine Archive
      • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
      • PRO Directory
    • Events
      • News from Events
      • Upcoming Events
      DICM

      DICM

      IBC Show

      IBC 2025

      MPTS

      CABSAT2025

      CABSAT2025

      NAB Show

    No Result
    View All Result
    BroadcastPro ME
    • News
      • All
      • Analyst Reports
      • AV
      • Cinema Theatres
      • Esports
      • Film partnerships
      • International News
      • Mergers/Acquisitions
      • New appointments
      • OTT/Video Streaming
      • Podcasting
      • Production
      • Satellite/Comms
      • TV/Radio Deals
      Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

      Ericsson establishes new regional headquarters in Riyadh

      Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

      Charlie Coleman joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of International Marketing

      Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

      Neo Space Group finalises UP42 acquisition from Airbus Defence and Space

      Lionsgate appoints Adam Fogelson as Vice Chair of Motion Picture Group

      Semafor names Matthew Martin Saudi bureau chief and SWF editor

      AfTIAS 2.0 drives ICT-led economic transformation in Algeria

      AfTIAS 2.0 drives ICT-led economic transformation in Algeria

      The Match Factory announces global deals for Palestinian film ‘All That’s Left of You’

      The Match Factory announces global deals for Palestinian film ‘All That’s Left of You’

      Dubai’s Malayalam radio station Hit 96.7 FM celebrates 21 years

      Dubai’s Malayalam radio station Hit 96.7 FM celebrates 21 years

      SES introduces new platform for live sports distribution

      Dentsu launches sports analytics arm in MENA

      Lockheed Martin welcomes 44 interns to tech internship in Abu Dhabi

      Lockheed Martin welcomes 44 interns to tech internship in Abu Dhabi

      Nokia, CST and partners launch 4.0 GHz neutral host network in KSA

      Nokia, CST and partners launch 4.0 GHz neutral host network in KSA

      Trending Tags

      • broadcast
      • MENA broadcast
      • ConnecTech2019
    • Tech Features
      • All
      • CASE STUDIES
      • New Media
      • REVIEWS
      • TV/Radio Deals
      • Updates from FOMEX
      • Virtual Production Series
      Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

      Breaking free from the hardware cycle: Cloud collaboration in post-production

      Playing to win

      Playing to win

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The expanding role of AI in broadcast

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      The power of podcasts and audio streaming in MENA

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part IV

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part III

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part II

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      SMF and FOMEX bring top industry leaders together in Riyadh – Part I

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Transforming the entertainment experience with tech

      Trending Tags

      • Videos
        FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

        FOR-A’s award-winning HVS-Q12: A quantum leap in switcher design

        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Ignacio Gonzalez-Nuñez on Eutelsat’s new offering and market leadership

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Francesco Cataldo on iKO Media Group’s CABSAT showcase and broadcast trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Deepraj Sandhar on Ross Video’s Middle East growth and broadcast tech trends

        Reema Omari

        Reema Omari on Universal Satcom’s growth and connectivity solutions

        Mustafa Afifi

        Mustafa Afifi of Rivada Space on Outernet’s impact in the Middle East

        Don

        ST Engineering iDirect CEO Don Claussen on Mideast ties and satellite strategy

        KSASummit

        Transforming Arabic Content: Studios, Producers and Regional Impact

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

        Bringing Real-Time Audience Insights to Linear Broadcast TV – A First and Exclusive

      • Opinion
        Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

        Survival of the Smartest: Cloud Playout as a Strategic Weapon

        Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

        Bridging the Latency Gap with Broadcast in a Streaming World

        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        YouTube in Ramadan: The silent giant

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Sport’s Growing Grip on MENA Media

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        MEASA’s media and communications innovations set new benchmarks beyond regional boundaries

        Integrate ME 2023 brings its inaugural edition to successful conclusion

        Empowering the next generation of content creation and live broadcasting with AV PRO

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Decoding the Ramadan Drama Phenomenon: What Makes a Winner?

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Reviving cultural identity through native storytelling in Abu Dhabi

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Why it’s game on for broadcasters of live sport

        Evision’s transformation proves that business acumen and passion drive success

        Saudi Arabia emerges as the epicentre of Media & Entertainment in 2025

      • Interviews
        • All
        • Lounge
        Sand, sweat and high stakes

        Sand, sweat and high stakes

        All eyes on AIUIa

        All eyes on AIUIa

        Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

        Grass Valley scales up with software and IP workflows

        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        Breaking barriers, building futures: The new face of IABM

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        New Leadership, Same Strategy, Sharpened Focus

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        Creating Captain Shedeed: A superhero with Arab roots

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        UAE Pro League flips the field

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Bringing the wild to the Middle East

        Shades of success

        Shades of success

        Navigating the news wave

        Navigating the news wave

      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events
        • News from Events
        • Upcoming Events
        DICM

        DICM

        IBC Show

        IBC 2025

        MPTS

        CABSAT2025

        CABSAT2025

        NAB Show

      No Result
      View All Result
      BroadcastPro ME
      No Result
      View All Result
      AMT Ad ibc Ad
      Home Interviews

      Embracing new technology

      Vibhuti Arora by Vibhuti Arora
      December 21, 2016
      in Interviews
      ShareTweetPostEmail

      The CTOs discussed ways to embrace the changes in broadcast technology and how to use them as a vehicle to move forward and rngive viewers quality content.

      panel3The CTOs discussed ways to embrace the changes in broadcast technology and how to use them as a vehicle to move forward and

      give viewers quality content

      The tech panel addressed the challenges of deploying technologies in a fast-changing broadcast scenario. Moderated by Robert Sveb, Director of Global Technology Services at Al Jazeera Media Network, the discussion centred on cloud and IP strategies in the MENA, software-defined networks, developing digital services within a linear TV environment, and merging broadcast, broadband and mobile for a great multi-screen experience.

      The panel included an impressive lineup of panellists: Mohamed Abuagla, Executive Director of Technology & Operations (CIO/CTO), Al Jazeera Media Network; Israel Esteban, Executive Director of Technology, beIN Media Group; Peter Van Dam, Director of Technology at Live HD, Abu Dhabi Media; Frank Kerrin, Director of Technology Support and Projects, Broadcast Engineering, OSN; and Ian Cockett, CTO, Pebble Beach Systems.

      Robert Sveb set the ball rolling by asking the panel about the rapid convergence of broadcast and IT, and where it is leading. With extensive industry experience, the panellists spoke about how the technology has changed dramatically in the last 15 years.

      Frank Kerrin of OSN said that the industry has evolved from being tape-based to file-based, allowing workflows to be more IT-centric and flexible.

      “The convergence of IT and broadcast has resulted in an interesting shift. AIMS is encouraging the manufacturers to move to an IP world with the adoption of IT technology. Today, manufacturers are no longer box shifters and are no longer tied down by proprietary hardware. A broadcast infrastructure can very well run on the cloud or virtual machines.”

      Sveb asked Israel Esteban of beIN Media Group how IT has been advantageous to the broadcast industry. According to Esteban, television viewing is undergoing a seismic shift. As demand for content increases, broadcasters will rely on technology to ensure faster time to market.

      “In the past, we spent a lot of time to help broadcasters to digitise. We need to adapt ourselves to the digital environment and develop tools to manage more content for a fast turnaround. We cannot imagine a new project without cloud or IT,” he said.

      Sveb then asked Peter Van Dam of LIVE HD how his company is dealing with the IT onslaught, especially in the live production environment. He asked if OB vans are still reliant primarily on broadcast or baseband technology.

      Van Dam likened the shift to IP to the move from SD to HD, and said that IP is the way forward but will take time.

      “When we moved from SD to HD, we could still use SDI. IP is here but there are parts of the broadcast chain that are not quite ready for implementation. Live production is still based on traditional workflows while we struggle with IP standards or the lack of them.”

      Regarding the trucks getting bigger and having to deal with more complex production workflows, Van Dam said that very soon, remote production will take over and trucks will become compact, based on Cisco switches, but will never go out of fashion.

      Commenting on Al Jazeera’s 20-year journey, Abuagla said that Al Jazeera has evolved in the past two decades, moving away from big and bulky equipment to a more compact IT infrastructure. Along with transformation in the equipment, the skill set of the team has also matured over the years, with more software-centric processes in place.

      Ian Cockett added that broadcast is moving away from proprietary hardware and adding more software-only solutions to run workflows.

      “Everyone was using the same vendors and the same technology for SDI distribution on video servers 15 years ago. This is changing, now we have internet companies, telcos as service providers that want to go into data centres, because they can’t afford the same business model based on the same tech they have been using in the past,” he said.

      Sveb then asked the panel if a pure IP environment is doable. While many broadcasters are considering hybrid systems, a move to pure IP seems like a distant reality. What are the key drivers of pushing IP? Is 4K a key driver?

      Van Dam noted that it is early days for the OB segment to move to IP, but growing remote productions will be a step in the right direction.

      Cockett added that big IP installations involve a lot of cost. “You cannot buy cheap switches, you need to have enterprise grade switches whose costs are quite prohibitive, which in turn adds to the cost of the shift to IP.”

      Sveb then asked if 4K is possible without IP, and how beIN is handling its 4K channels.

      Esteban commented that the major challenges in 4K deployment that make it an expensive proposition in the region are the high cost of bandwidth and security issues. While all broadcasters have a clear mandate to deploy 4K, the time frame is not yet clear.

      Cockett added that 4K is mainly driven by display manufacturers, but setting up an infrastructure to deliver it is not easy. Van Dam noted that production is already happening in 4K, especially sports and special events, which have clear commercial goals to fulfill.

      Kerrin said that just like the move to HD, 4K will happen gradually.

      “The way forward is to create smaller 4K islands and then slowly graduate to the next level, to mitigate the costs involved.”

      Van Dam also directed the panel’s attention to the fact that the MENA region is not homogeneous in terms of development. In many territories in the MENA, people still use 4:3 TVs.

      “We need to look at 4K, but who are we serving? Are the viewers ready? Many territories are not yet ready for deployment. But we are gearing up for it because as a government entity we are driven by service rather than achieving commercial goals.”

      Abuagla added that 4K is not a priority for Al Jazeera, for several reasons.

      “Display manufacturers have to make cheaper units, the cost of distribution of 4K content has to be meaningful and, thirdly, being in the business of news it is more important for us to get the message across to the user than to see how good it looks. We don’t see a big business case for 4K just yet. Maybe on the documentary side, but now 4K is not needed for news,” he said.

      Sven then asked the CTOs to shed light on their cloud strategies.

      Abuagla said Al Jazeera is moving quite aggressively on the cloud front.

      “We built the Al Jazeera Media Cloud with the idea of connecting all of our major hubs globally in a cloud mesh, to enable anyone sitting in a remote office to access resources from these hubs. We are also working on a combination of private and public clouds to host media services,” he explained.

      He added that Al Jazeera is looking at running its OTT services from the cloud and is in talks with big cloud players such as Amazon and Microsoft to build an infrastructure.

      “We are looking at creating interactive tools for journalists in the field to fast-track the production cycle and get the story out to the viewer as quickly as possible,” Abuagla said.

      Sveb asked Kerrin about OSN’s OTT strategy and how cloud features. He said that cloud could be a great enabler for OTT services.

      “Although the cloud is expensive to use, the upside is you only pay for what you use, which makes it an attractive tool to deal with spikes in OTT consumption. If we suddenly have a lot of content that needs to be played out on multiple devices, cloud computing comes in handy. We are presently looking for public cloud to store our backup, which will open up opportunities to augment our services manifold. We also plan to run all of our OTT from the cloud,” he pointed out.

      Cockett concluded the discussion by saying that in the fast-changing broadcast scenario, it is no longer a surprise to see a big public broadcaster playing out from a PC or a tier-one service provider moving its business to the data centre.

      “Today, public cloud utilisation is for DR and to maintain low-cost business continuity. We will see more of that. Also, more users of live playout will do other versions for mobile and streaming. A few years down the line one may still find SDI, but one part of the business is moving very quickly into a software-only setup,” he summed up.

       

      Tags: CTO panelFrank KerrinIan CockettMohamed AbuaglaPeter Van DamRobert Sveb

      Related Posts

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      Tech strategies for an evolving modern MENA media ecosystem

      May 15, 2025
      Game-changing strategies

      Game-changing strategies

      July 29, 2024
      Cashing in on the stream

      Cashing in on the stream

      July 22, 2024
      Embracing the personal approach

      Embracing the personal approach

      March 18, 2024
      Trends and tech change the game in MENA

      Trends and tech change the game in MENA

      December 20, 2023
      Audio Visual Gateway Media announces transfer of ownership

      Audio Visual Gateway Media announces transfer of ownership

      September 22, 2023

      Related News

      Operational excellence

      Operational excellence

      March 15, 2016
      More Related News

      BroadcastPro ME

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Magazine Archive
      • Directory
      • Contact
      • Privacy

      Follow us on Social Media

      No Result
      View All Result
      • News
      • Tech Features
      • Videos
      • Opinion
      • Interviews
      • Products
      • Magazine Archive
        • BroadcastPro ME Magazine
        • PRO Directory
      • Events

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms bellow to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In