Harris Broadcast Communications Leads BXF into Next Phase

BXF 2.0 improves business and technical efficiencies across the media workflow

Harris today celebrates the publication of the BXF 2.0 suite — a move that evolves the way broadcasters and new media organizations share and exchange business data and on-air content across the media workflow.

BXF, or Broadcast eXchange Format, standardizes the exchange of schedule, as-run, content metadata, and content transfer instructions between workflow systems — including servers, editors, traffic and billing, sales and scheduling, automation and digital asset management equipment. The publication of BXF 2.0 marks an important continuation in BXF development and implementation —an effort that began with the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) in 2004, led by Harris CTO Group Lead Chris Lennon.

BXF 2.0 consists of several backward-compatible enhancements to the existing standard including additional support for sponsored secondary events, re-use of house numbers, enhanced multi-language support, and the ability to communicate “aired” events (previous, current and next).

“Representing a collaborative effort by some 80 companies and already seeing widespread adoption, BXF is a success story for everyone,” said Peter Symes, SMPTE Director of Standards and Engineering. “BXF 2.0 and future extensions also underscore the vital role SMPTE plays in driving collaboration and standardization in support of new technology advances and creating new revenue opportunities across the digital media ecosystem.”

Harris has incorporated the original BXF version into 11 products to date, including ADC™ and D-Series™ automation, OSi-Traffic™ media software, and Invenio® media asset management. Maine Public Broadcasting Network is one of many Harris customers that have experienced new business and technical efficiencies with BXF implementation, including operating cost reductions and new revenue stream generation.

“I am a firm believer of entering data only once,” said Gil Maxwell, vice president of engineering and CTO, Maine Public Broadcasting. “BXF has not only enabled the flow of information from traffic to air without additional intervention of data re-entry, but everyone in the chain from traffic to operations to billing knows the status of events immediately.”

Lennon, who also serves as chairman of SMPTE’s BXF Working Group, has spearheaded BXF development efforts, working with dozens of companies and well over 150 individuals since its inception. The SMPTE group now sets their sights on BXF 3.0, which includes a list of useful enhancements that advance well beyond the efficiencies published in BXF 2.0.

“It’s very satisfying for us at Harris to see the fruits of the BXF effort,” said Lennon. “It demonstrates the value of working with our customers and partners as well our competitors in fixing endemic industry problems. The notion of a rising tide raises all ships certainly applies here. We remain committed to lead BXF forward, and feel the excitement of what’s on the horizon with BXF 3.0.”

The updated schema and documents for BXF 2.0 are available at the SMPTE Store under SMPTE 2021.

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About Harris Broadcast Communications
Harris Broadcast Communications offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Harris ONE™ solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models. Additional information about Harris Broadcast Communications is available at www.broadcast.harris.com.