Ericsson signs multi-year services deal with Channel 5

Ericsson has signed an exclusive multi-year broadcast and media services deal Viacom-owned UK broadcaster, Channel 5.

The deal includes playout, media management, metadata, access services and business continuity services, which Ericsson will provide for Channel 5’s entire portfolio of terrestrial and digital channels and its catch up offerings.

These include Channel 5, 5*, Spike and 5USA, as well as for Channel 5+1 and Channel 5+24.

Ericsson will also deliver media management services for the broadcaster’s Demand 5 video-on-demand platform, with all services due to commence in May 2016.

“Ericsson showed a clear understanding of our complex playout requirements, including the extra demands of live and fast-turnaround shows, such as Big Brother, which are a crucial part of our schedule. And they promise to offer us the robust and flexible support we need as we continue to roll out our highly popular Demand 5 player, which is already available across more than 25 different video-on-demand platforms in the UK. We look forward to working with them over the coming years,” said Paul Dunthorne, chief operating officer at Channel 5.

Thorsten Sauer, head of broadcast and media services at Ericsson, said: “We are delighted to be chosen by Channel 5 to provide these critical services for their portfolio of channels in the UK. This multi-faceted deal is a significant win for Ericsson and really illustrates our ability to provide a truly world-class, end-to-end offering.

Ericsson is exhibiting at IBC on stand 1.D61