France Télévisions Overseas taps Globecast, Net Insight for contribution and distribution

French overseas territories pubcaster France Télévisions Overseas has tapped technology partners Globecast and Net Insight to replace its legacy media contribution and distribution solution for the territories it serves: French Guiana; French Polynesia; Guadeloupe/Saint Martin; Martinique; Mayotte; New Caledonia; Réunion; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Wallis and Futuna.

France Télévisions was looking to replace and upgrade technology to manage contribution feeds between local studios across the territories, as well as with eight press agencies. The requirement overs both permanent and occasional feeds from a central studio in France to all territories.

The broadcaster turned to Net Insight’s Nimbra edge technology to deliver media over IP and cloud netwoks in combination with Globecast’s cloud infrastructure.

The system provides the flexibility to allow additional feeds – for example, for a specific event – to be inserted into the transport solution as and when required, a capability that was previously absent.

“There were multiple drivers behind the project, which is now up and running. The solution needed to be as cost-effective as possible so leveraging a combination of the public internet and the cloud was a priority, while guaranteeing premium service quality. Our expertise in creating large-scale media networks, with Net Insight’s Nimbra Edge technology key to this solution, was essential for this project,” said Yann Madeleine EVP Sales, Globecast in France.

“It was essential that we created a premium quality, extremely reliable media transport solution and very cost-effectively, too. Our and Net Insight’s cloud and overall IP know-how is crucial to the success of this project. In addition, France Télévisions now benefits from a one-stop shop contractually and when it comes to any questions or issues.”

Crister Fritzson, CEO of Net Insight, said: “The media industry is moving fast into the new era of cloud and IP workflows. Media companies like France Télévisions are harnessing the innovation and unique advantages of cloud and IP technologies, including unpreceded scalability and the flexibility to manage live feeds reliably and cost-efficiently. Net Insight’s Nimbra Edge is the most open and agile cloud delivery solution, and we’re pleased that together with Globecast we empower the media industry to innovate into the future.”

Jacques Donat-Bouillud, director of broadcasting and distribution Networks Development for France Télévisions, said, “France Télévisions was looking for a reliable, resilient and innovative solution to ensure the exchange of media, video and audio between our various local stations overseas and in France. The solution proposed by Globecast and its partners meets the criteria since it allows us to improve the services provided, while maintaining the level of quality of service required for the public service missions of France Télévisions. In addition, this solution is more economical than the previous one, while making a leap forward in technology. Globecast also has the advantage of relying on competent and reliable local partners in all overseas territories. It’s very important that France Télévisions be able to benefit from local resources and skills, in particular in the event of major climatic events, which are unfortunately still possible in the overseas territories.”