Qatar’s Al Rayyan TV opts for Octopus newsroom

Rebecca Hawkes ©RapidTVNews | 14-06-2012


Live news operations at Qatar's latest satellite television channel Al Rayyan TV are now up and running following the installation of an Octopus 6 newsroom.
The deal marks the introduction of Octopus in the Gulf, with a tight turnaround of just two weeks from installation to first transmission.
"The Al Rayyan newsroom staff were experienced but had not used the Octopus newsroom system before. That proved not to be a problem as they took to Octopus very quickly and without any trouble. And when the station opened they were very happy to use it on air," said Tony Jabbour, senior broadcast engineer, Al Rayyan TV.
Jan Pulpan, director for sales and engineering, Octopus, added: "Our first Arabic broadcast customer has set a high standard. To get the station up and running in such a short time owes a lot to the professionalism of the Al Rayyan technicians and operational staff. They were able to use their NCRS experience gained on other systems and apply it directly to Octopus6. We wish them every success."
Owned by the Rayyan Media and Marketing Company (RMMC), the channel - which launched on 18 May 2012 - seeks to focus on sustainable development and raise public awareness of a wide range of issues.
Al Rayyan Satellite channel also aims to promote traditional values, and "strive to infuse in the youth a commitment to social integration" in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the ruling family's guide to social, economic and environmental development over the coming two decades.
RMMC has previously produced television shows and documentaries for Qatar National Day, celebrated in the Gulf state each December.
In addition to terrestrial television, Qatar already has a national satellite channel, Qatar Satellite Channel (QSC), which has been broadcasting since December 1998, and Al Jazeera Network, which began transmissions from Doha in November 1996.