Ascent Media and BT Team Up for Switched Video Services in London and New York

Ascent Media Group LLC (AMG) and BT have entered into a strategic alliance to form a global broadcast-switching platform offering 24/7 connectivity between the world’s two largest video-switch communities. The service enables broadcast and cable networks, sports networks, news agencies, and enterprises in New York and London to instantly import and export content between the video switches and features full access to all venues and television connections in both cities.

The new platform offers transport services for SD media content with full-time, dedicated connections between Ascent’s Waterfront Switch in New York and the BT Tower Switch in London and leverages both companies’ video switches and booking centers. HD service between the switches is planned for introduction later in the year.

The International Switched Video Services feature dedicated ports on Ascent’s Waterfront Switch and BT Tower Switch and dedicated (24/7) JPEG 2000 transport stream at 50 Mbps with two-channel audio at 7 Mbps. The service offering ensures quality transport for SD program material and includes booking support enabling customers to easily schedule switches from New York and London and share content via existing local access circuits.

“By joining forces with BT’s Media and Broadcast team, we are establishing an expanded global network that lays the groundwork for connectivity and capabilities that uniquely enable television broadcasters to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively worldwide while exporting their content to global destinations and distribution platforms,” said Tom Kuehle, EVP, Strategic Solutions, for Ascent Media Group. “BT is a natural partner for Ascent Media Group, and we believe there is tremendous potential for the networks.”

Added Mark Wilson-Dunn, VP of Global Sales and Marketing for BT Media and Broadcasts, “This is an important step towards the formation of a global ecosystem to support the creation, movement, and monetization of content, and we are delighted to be taking that step alongside Ascent Media Group.”

The alliance also benefits from the interconnection of Ascent’s Global Media Network with BT’s Global Media Network. The network-connection arrangement enables both companies to offer and share connections to the world’s most important consumer television outlets and advanced television-production services that today’s content creators demand.

The collaboration platform began operations last week.