VT Communications has been awarded a £1.4M contract with BBC World Service for the deployment of their new Satellite Media Distribution System (SMDS). The SMDS system replaces the current satellite based Global Delivery System (GDS), with DVB based technology. As the BBC addresses the challenges of the global media environment, this technology gives them greater flexibility and better management of their programme content and distribution.
The contract covers the migration of GDS to the SMDS system globally, over a 2-year period, including the shipping and installation of over 1000 new satellite receivers to BBC partner sites worldwide, as well as the re-engineering of programme feeds at their shortwave, mediumwave and FM relays and programme distribution hubs.
BBC World Service radio programmes are transmitted in 33 languages to around 163 million weekly listeners throughout the world, with the English and Arabic services broadcast 24 hours a day. VT Communications provides 24/7 operations, scheduling and support to BBC World Service, and is responsible for distributing their programmes globally to the BBC’s overseas relays and partners, as well as to the 10 VT Communications operated and maintained shortwave and mediumwave transmission sites in the UK and throughout the world.
Nigel Fry, Head of Transmission & Distribution, BBC World Service, commented: “This contract builds on the very successful partnership between BBC World Service and VT Communications. The SMDS system enables us to meet the exacting standards for coverage and dependability that will result in an overall better service for all our listeners.”
(Source: VT Communications/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog 9/26)