Pharos recently completed a major contract for the BBC World Service, providing a content management and automation system for 68 channels of radio programming.
The project, which includes automation of live and time-shifted content playout, is centered on a Pharos Mediator content management platform, which integrates ingest, media workflow, transfer management, router control and playout for the broadcaster.
BBC World Service workflows are prioritized and resources managed by Mediator based on the demands of an integrated program schedule. A total of 32 channels are configured as a complete playout-capable subsystems, each safeguarded by a fully mirrored channel.
“This latest contract was awarded after a lengthy OJEC [public tender] process,” said Nigel Fry, head of Transmission & Distribution at BBC World Service. “Pharos was then commissioned to look at our current operation and to co-operate with staff in creating an outline requirement for a future playout and routing infrastructure to cover the entire World Service operation. These requirements included flexible delivery of material to multiple platforms for both traditional linear broadcasting and new on-demand services.”
Pharos has worked with BBC World Service for more than10 years, helping deliver new systems that maximize efficiency and allow prompt response to the developing media marketplace. New features in this latest installation include a node-based online storage subsystem for content management plus a high-performance audio server.