Nine Network returns to Imagine Communications for media management expansion

AUSTRALIA: The largest free-to-air broadcaster in Australia, National Playout Centre (NPC) for Nine Network, has had its capabilities expanded with help from Imagine Communications’ content management and channel playout architecture. The channel, more commonly known as Channel Nine, will use the solution to cater to increased growth by extending its coverage to the Adelaide and Perth markets that were acquired by Nine Network last year.

‘When we first planned the NPC, we knew we had to build a system that was readily scalable, which is one of the key reasons we selected Imagine Communications,’ said Geoff Sparke, director of broadcast operations at Nine Network. ‘With new markets to serve, we were able to rapidly scale to meet these opportunities with Imagine Communications’ highly flexible and comprehensive technology. We enjoy a long-term strategic relationship with Imagine Communications and have been pleased by the expertise, commitment and response rate of their professional services organisation. We look forward to ongoing collaboration.’

The NPC originally served 18 channels across the country. The deployment of Imagine’s multichannel playout solution has allowed the broadcaster to streamline its technical operations by centralising playout for all the network’s markets within a single broadcast facility. The expanded system saw the addition of the manufacturer’s D-Series playout automation equipment and Nexio Insight asset management software. The existing Nexio server has had its capacity expanded with the addition of Nexio Volt Compact integrated media servers. The installation also included Imagine’s Selenio media convergence platform for signal processing, and a Platinum router with Multiviewer for large scale routing and monitoring.  

‘Nine Network is a true market innovator, and we are pleased to have implemented a state-of-the art facility that easily expands to support their ongoing new markets and services,’ said Joe Khodeir, VP of Asia Pacific at Imagine Communications. ‘I am extremely proud of our collaboration with Nine to deliver this advanced facility. Meeting the needs of multiple channels in multiple markets across multiple time zones is demanding and a unique strength of our playout solution. The original installation met these complex requirements, and we are delighted that they returned to us when they needed to add new channels that built upon the current on-air system.’

www.imaginecommunications.com