Imagine Communications

MELBOURNE, FL/AMSTERDAM, September 8, 2011 (IBC2011, Stand 7.G20) — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has been awarded a contract to provide Sky News Arabia, the new 24-hour Arabic language news channel, with an integrated solution for part of the playout automation facility at the broadcaster's Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), headquarters.

The Harris solution is part of a major integration project awarded to systems integration firm TSL earlier this year. The construction of a new service, the first of its kind for Sky News in the Middle East, is underway within the twofour54 Media Zone and will launch in spring 2012.

The order highlights some of the latest individual product features from the Harris software portfolio. Harris^® ADC™ playout automation offers familiar operation and stability to operators while delivering new levels of dynamic integration to the Harris^® Broadcast Master™ scheduling and media management suite. This is achieved through BXF protocol messaging, which automatically relays last-minute changes and updates to ADC automation. Sky News Arabia also will install Harris^® Invenio^® Motion software for digital media management.

"Following a detailed evaluation of suppliers in this marketplace, we selected Harris for our playout automation requirement because the company offers a proven, highly configurable solution, as well as a local presence in the region - including support fitting a fast-paced 24/7 news service such as ours," said Bevan Gibson, technical launch director at Sky News Arabia.

A 50/50 joint venture between BSkyB and the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC), Sky News Arabia promises to deliver news to the Middle East and North Africa region in a fresh and exciting way. The construction comprises three floors to accommodate the news multimedia center and news editor workstations, production facilities, graphics and live studios. Sky News Arabia expects to base 180 multimedia journalists out of the facility.

TSL managing director David Phillips said, "We are pleased to work with a company like Harris, which has a long, established heritage in automation and media management. With TSL and Harris both having a strong local base in the UAE, including support organizations, both companies are well-positioned to meet the installation and commissioning, training and ongoing requirements from Sky News Arabia now and into the future."

"The Sky News Arabia service is a strong example of how broadcasters can take advantage of an automated playout solution to streamline operations and make better use of their digital assets as they grow," said Harris Morris, president, Harris Broadcast Communications. "Local Harris engineers are working closely with Sky News Arabia's team to ensure the successful deployment of this new service in advance of its launch."

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.