Imagine Communications

MELBOURNE, FL/AMSTERDAM, September 8, 2011 (IBC2011, Stand 7.G20) — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, is providing a complete, integrated content workflow solution to Bid Shopping, owner of several broadcast channels including "Bid," the first live auction TV shopping channel in the UK.

The integrated content workflow solution will allow Bid Shopping, formerly known as Sit-Up TV, to centralize the production and management of its digital media assets — essential to its "multi-selling channel" business strategy across its three broadcast TV channels (Bid, Pricedrop and Speed Auction) and Pricedropper, its online-only channel. The complete solution features Harris^® NEXIO AMP^® servers for media playout, Invenio^® digital asset management equipment, ADC™ automation, and Broadcast Master™ sales and scheduling software.

"We needed to increase the production and capture of our digital assets to make them accessible to existing TV and online selling channels, as well as to future channels that will be delivered to mobile or desktop devices," said Nahid Ahluwalia, business development manager at Bid Shopping. "Our existing infrastructure did not provide us with the flexibility to support our expansion plans. We were seeking an intelligent playout solution where each product is linked to available assets, can be previewed by the production staff, and can be played out during 'Live Sales' broadcast events. The answer is a new infrastructure based on Harris media playout technology, end-to-end media asset management, and scheduling software."

The first two phases, including the central NEXIO AMP domain, Invenio and Broadcast Master, will be completed in September. Invenio will provide a centralized asset management system and an automated user interface gateway for Bid Shopping. Broadcast Master sales and scheduling software will allow engineers to create and manage the entire playout schedule across all channels.

ADC playout automation will be installed in early 2012, enabling automated scheduling and Electronic Program Guide (EPG) creation in combination with Broadcast Master.

"The new asset management system will make Bid Shopping extremely flexible and reactive, freeing production staff to focus on selling instead of administrative tasks," said Ahluwalia. "The scheduling system will improve show preparation for producers and crew, allowing quick, live updates and changes. It will also link the media to the transmission schedule and permit channel sales managers to approve or schedule changes."

"Bid Shopping's integrated workflow across content and business systems will help them expand through intelligent media association and dynamic product collateral scheduling," said Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. "This simplifies how operators identify key product relationships and dependencies at the earliest stage of the sales lifecycle, and improves collaboration across all workflow processes."

In broadcast communications, Harris offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Harris ONE™ solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models.