Globecast hails HD service for African Cup of Nations a success
Details
Rebecca Hawkes
| 08 February 2017

Global TV coverage of the African Cup of Nations 2017 has proved a success, according to Globecast, which was responsible for HD transmissions service during the football tournament.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the event’s media and marketing rights holder Lagardère Sports had contracted Globecast to provide broadcast uplinks and primary and back-up contribution sources to cover the event in Gabon from 14 January to 5 February in which 16 national football teams from Africa battled for victory. More than 15 broadcasters from Europe, Africa and Asia took Globecast’s live television feeds which culminated in Cameron’s thrilling last-gasp victory over Egypt.

Globecast deployed two flyaway antennas operating in both C- and Ku-band in each of the four official tournament stadiums in the host nation. The company also managed shipping and local logistics for nine HD satellite broadcast antenna kits, comprising six tons of equipment.

A team of engineers and a global coordinator were provided in Gabon from Globecast Reportage and its Nairobi subsidiary. While supervision and coordinated contribution links, and international distribution was provided from the company’s Parisian facility. Two French commentators were provided, along with the insertion of sponsors’ graphics from its Paris MCR.

Globecast also operated a video file distribution platform, which provided the rights holders with about 30 minutes of new material each day, in addition to live match streaming for Lagardère Sports’ editorial requirements.

“We transmitted 180 hours of live HD programming plus a hundred hours of private signals. We not only ensured the contribution and distribution of the main signal through six C and Ku-band satellites, but also provided the IP and content enrichment solutions that are now a common part of the coverage of major events,” said Michele Gosetti, EVP sales France, Globecast.