Sharjah Broadcasting Authority opts for Imagine disaster recovery
Details
Rebecca Hawkes
| 03 May 2019

Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA) has gone live with a new hybrid IP-based disaster recovery site to cover its four television channels.

The system, implemented by Imagine Communications at SBA’s back-up centre in Al Thaid, UAE, uses software defined technology and can be used to support the broadcaster’s expansion plans.

“This project is a really important step on our migration path towards IP networks and virtualisation,” said Aisha Alzareef, broadcast technology & information systems director at Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (formerly known as Sharjah Media Corporation).

“Collaborating with Imagine helps us ensure that our technical and operational teams understand the challenges of these new technologies. We have worked in close partnership with Imagine Communications since the foundation of our company 10 years ago, and with IP, we will be in a great position to prepare plans for future developments and the complete migration of our main play-out centre.”

SBA’s TV channels are delivered by a primary play-out system from Imagine, with the disaster recovery playout system now maintaining perfect synchronisation with the main site, the companies said. Imagine Communications’ Versio virtualised integrated playout solution, designed for geo-dispersed operations, is at the heart of the operation.

Versio is a software application running on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware from Hewlett Packard, providing full automation and playout functionality, along with servers and content management, graphics, storage, master control switching – and management of the synchronisation and mirroring.

“We are delighted to be continuing the journey with Sharjah Broadcasting Authority as they transition from their traditional playout facility towards the exploration of next-gen playout and networking technologies,” said Anas Hantash (pictured), head of Middle East and North Africa for Imagine Communications.

“They recognise that software solutions running on standard COTS platforms and connected over IP are the future of broadcasting. Furthermore, they recognised that Imagine Communications was the pioneer of software-defined networks in the media and entertainment industry, and today lead the way with innovative, agile and adaptable solutions that enable the transition to next-gen IP-based architecture and business models tailored to their own pace of change.”