❝ We feel HDR has a strong future on mobile — HDR technology is perfect for getting the most out of the small screen in
terms of colours and resolutions .❞
8
May 2018
NEWS & VIEWS
BBC overcomes digital challenges by strengthening role as trusted news media
SINGAPORE – The rise of digital disruption has impacted every aspect of TV creation and distribution , and has changed every existing relationship a media network traditionally had with its viewers .
Despite consumers now spending more time watching streaming videos than traditional TV — which is blurring the lines between linear broadcasting and non-linear delivery — BBC World News , the BBC ’ s international news and current affairs TV channel , reached a record 99 million-weekly audience in the past 12 months , revealed Chris Davies , commercial director for BBC Global News .
He told APB : “ Live TV is absolutely at the core of what we do at the BBC . It is certainly supported and supplemented by online and other new digital platforms , but our strategy remains unchanged in live TV as it is fundamental for our business in the news space .”
Although the rise of over-thetop ( OTT ) services has provided consumers with an alternative to access content in different ways ,
Davies pointed out that linear TV is where viewers will tune to — especially for news and sports — as they want to be updated on the latest happenings taking place at any specific moment , sometimes from the other side of the world .
Besides keeping live TV as the foundation of its business , the BBC has continuously evolved on new platforms . For instance , 360-degree video and virtual reality ( VR ) are some of the new technologies that the BBC has been working on to enrich journalism . “ We ’ re also starting to work with voice-enabled
Join IP Master Class to simplify IP transition
1 8
Stories available on the BBC News app are updated with news alerts , keeping consumers informed about the latest happenings that are taking place across the globe .
Mandarin Hotel in Singapore on Monday , June 25 , this year .
Entitled Real-time Media over IP Inside a TV Facility , the IP Master Class will be conducted by Michel Proulx , a media industry technologist and ex-CTO of Miranda Technologies .
“ The one-day event is essential learning for heads of technology who are responsible for broadcast systems and infrastructure , and will help guide them across the chasm into the world of the IP media facility ,” Mc Kiernan added .
Richard Bayliss , director of systems engineering , APJ , Arista Networks , believes that IP networking will bring many benefits to those broadcasters across Asia who are already considering their infrastructure evolution strategies to support higher definition content and new production workflows .
He said : “ While IP networking has evolved to support the media and entertainment use cases , not all IP solutions are capable of meeting the reliability and performance required for live broadcasts .”
He noted : “ The critical new skills required to make the successful transition to IP-based media delivery may not exist within traditional broadcast engineering teams .”
Seeing itself as a leader in IP media networks , Arista aims to simplify the IP transition and play a greater role in educating broadcasters on the common design and operational considerations that will accelerate IP projects .
This is why the company is supporting APB ’ s IP Master Class , where Paul Druce , lead systems engineer , Australia and New Zealand , Arista Networks , will present key components of an IP media network in regard to a recent real-world deployment .
Built upon Arista ’ s
Arista Networks ’ Richard Bayliss : “ The use of IP networks creates new opportunities to streamline the production process itself .” media so that users are able to speak directly to their voice-controlled system , such as the Amazon Alexa , and ask for news updates ,” he added .
With its strengths in live news , the BBC has also launched the BBC News app , which combines the latest news and analysis , as well as stories behind current events , all within one place .
However , the news industry is currently shrouded in the fog of ‘ fake news ’, which is compelling news media to uphold their impartial role in providing accurate and credible news .
Davies said : “ The rise of fake news is a global phenomenon , and each country needs to work out how best to tackle it . But for a news organisation like the BBC , it is our responsibility to ensure that the information we ’ re providing to the public is true and accurate .
“ This is our job , and is more important now than it has ever been , and we will continue to put out content that we believe is fair , impartial and accurate .”
global experience in building modern infra structure that supports the deployment of SMPTE ST 2110 , NEP Australia is now deploying an all-IP SMPTE ST 2110-based remote live broadcast system .
“ Not only do these new standards provide a more efficient method of transporting uncompressed broadcast essence streams , but the use of IP networks also creates new opportunities to streamline the production process itself ,” Bayliss concluded .
For more information on the APB IP Master Class , visit https :// apb-news . com / event / real-time-media-overip-inside-a-tv-facilityby-michel-proulx /.
FIFA to produce this year ’ s World Cup in 4K / UHD HDR
1 8
produced in 4K / UHD HDR . According to FIFA , progressive scanning will be used as a baseline production format , and HDR will ensure “ improved image quality for all media rights licensees , regardless of their delivery format ”.
The 4K / UHD HDR programming will be shot with a widerframed main camera and augmented with immersive audio to offer fans an enhanced viewing experience , FIFA added .
While the combination of 4K / UHD and HDR can be a tantalising proposition , should broadcasters also consider the possibility of integrating HDR into existing HD systems ?
One broadcaster that is continuing to look into the delivery of HD HDR is BT Sport , the sports TV division of the BT Group . In March 2018 , BT Sport conducted a live broadcast trial , showcasing the world ’ s “ first ” broadcast of a UEFA Champions League football game between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur in HD HDR , direct to mobile .
Jamie Hindhaugh , COO of BT Sport , told APB : “ Mobile is at the heart of BT , following our acquisition of EE , a mobile network operator , and the launch of BT Mobile in recent years , as well as the introduction of the BT Sport app .
“ Going forward , mobile viewers will be an important part of our audience base , and we feel HDR has a strong future on mobile — HDR technology is perfect for getting the most out of the small screen in terms of colours and resolutions .
“ HD HDR offers us the latest opportunity to extend our track record of innovation .”
The live trial took place at London ’ s Wembley Stadium , broadcasting to a beta version of the BT Sport app on a range of devices on EE ’ s 4G mobile network .
For this live broadcast of HD HDR to mobile , BT Sport utilised a 24-camera 4K / UHD set-up at Wembley Stadium , with 17 HDRnative cameras , and the remaining seven cameras converted to HDR 10 PQ .
Suggesting that the trial has reinforced the efficiency of HD and HDR in providing a better mobile experience , Hindhaugh explained that the delivery of HD HDR is also less data-intensive for both the mobile network and the user ’ s data consumption than 4K / UHD .
He continued : “ Further , the trial showcased the powerful end-toend capabilities of BT ’ s Consumer division by combining EE ’ s 4G network with BT Sport . Above all , we are pleased to report that we have received positive feedback from the media and consumers .”
Although the trial is specifically targeted at mobile devices , sports fans might argue that the best match day experience , apart from being present at the stadium , is via widespread viewing with a wider group of fans — and when asked if BT Sport has any plans to bring HD HDR to TV screens , Hindhaugh revealed that the network has “ no specific commercial roll-out plans ” at this stage , but will continue to explore HD HDR technology .
With innovation being at the heart of BT Sport , the network has also showcased different technologies for sports production . For instance , in 2017 , BT Sport broadcast the UEFA Champions League final in 4K / UHD HDR with Dolby Atmos sound on its BT TV service at a private screening in London . The match was also made available in virtual reality ( VR ) 360 to fans , and in 4K / UHD on YouTube , and 4K / UHD with Dolby Atmos on BT TV . Hindhaugh reiterated : “ We
❝ We feel HDR has a strong future on mobile — HDR technology is perfect for getting the most out of the small screen in
terms of colours and resolutions .❞
— Jamie Hindhaugh , COO , BT Sport
feel HDR is perfect for getting the most out of the small screen . And generally , mobile is important to BT Sport ’ s future aspiration to better serve our customers . Plus , it is worth noting the extent to which HDR-compatible handsets are now broadly available in the market .”
Singapore ’ s pay-TV operator StarHub has been offering HD sports content to subscribers across its 12 sports channels , including live coverage of the UEFA Champions League , La Liga and Formula One . StarHub has also launched StarHub Go , a streaming service designed to provide viewers with access to a wide variety of content , including live sports , on mobile devices .
Commenting on the emergence of HDR , Ong Bee Lian , vice-president of TV Engineering , StarHub , said : “ Being a relatively new technology , HDR still has some way to go before it gains wider awareness and , eventually , acceptance . Nonetheless , we will continue to monitor the latest technological developments in the market to enhance our customers ’ viewing experience .”