New installation to support file-based production workflow and playout of news television services to audiences in northern Iraq and Kurdish people worldwide

Harris Broadcast Communications will soon deliver an integrated infrastructure and workflow solution for the first Iraqi high-definition (HD) news channel in the Kurdish region of the country. Rudaw Media Group, one of Iraq’s leading publishing companies, selected Harris technology as the core of its new file-based production workflow and playout facility. With this channel, Rudaw will extend its reach beyond print media and venture into television to gain audience share from Kurdish-speaking TV viewing communities.

Based at a recently completed Greenfield site in Erbil, the capital city of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, this news production center will incorporate the latest Harris HD infrastructure and workflow technologies for signal routing and management, distribution and play to air. The deal was brokered by Sahi-Ateksis, a leading distributor in the region.

The facility will primarily be used for the production of news programming and documentaries, and is expected to go on air at the end of September 2012.

“We were looking to build out the most comprehensive and streamlined HD file-based news production workflow and playout facility in the region, and chose to use the proven Harris infrastructure and workflow solutions because they are both reliable and future proofed,” said Hejar Berenji, technical director of Rudaw Media Group. “Furthermore, Harris understands the nature of our new business and is able to provide us with a locally-based technical support team that recognizes the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region — a key driver in our choice of vendor.”

The infrastructure solutions to be implemented at Rudaw include a Harris® Platinum™ router that integrates video and audio processing, as well as Harris® HView™ SX Pro multiviewers, within its frame. This single-frame routing and multiviewer solution minimizes space requirements, cabling and energy consumption. Harris® Videotek® CMN-41 test and measurement devices will ensure signal integrity and superior on-air quality.

Harris® Invenio® digital asset management software will simplify content ingest and storage across the media workflow, and transfer that content to the NEXIO® HD playout server for onward transmission — all under the control of the Harris® ADC™ automated content management and distribution system.

“Our established track record of delivering well-engineered technical solutions that meet the business and operational needs of our customers has been critical to our success in the Middle East — and the project at Rudaw TV is no exception,” said Said Bacho, vice president sales and service, Middle East and South Asia, Harris Broadcast Communications. “The implementation of the Harris file-based HD workflows at Rudaw will provide all round benefits today and reduce the costs associated with upgrades in the future.”

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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.