Ericsson in multi-year broadcast deal with Channel 5

NEW DELHI: Swedish telecom equipment maker company Ericsson has signed an exclusive multi-year broadcast and media services deal with leading UK broadcaster Channel 5, which is owned by Viacom.

The deal, which was won following a competitive tender process, includes playout, media management, metadata, access services (captioning, audio description and sign language interpretation) and business continuity services.

Ericsson will provide these services for Channel 5's entire portfolio of terrestrial and digital channels (Channel 5, 5*, Spike and 5USA), as well as for its catch up offerings, including Channel 5+1 and Channel 5+24. Ericsson will also deliver media management services for the broadcaster's Demand 5 video-on-demand platform. All services will commence in May 2016.

“And they promise to offer us the robust and flexible support we need as we continue to roll out our highly popular Demand 5 player, which is already available across more than 25 different video-on-demand platforms in the UK. We look forward to working with them over the coming years,” said Paul Dunthorne, Chief Operating Officer, Channel 5.

“Our aim is to help our clients stay ahead of the curve and ensure they continue to provide their audiences with the very best TV experience anytime, anywhere,” siad Thorsten Sauer, Head of Broadcast and Media Services at Ericsson.

Ericsson delivers the premium TV around the globe, powers some of the world's largest and most complex video platforms, and helps the world's strongest content brands to deliver personalized, high-quality programming to consumers 24/7.

The company enables content owners, broadcasters, and TV service providers across cable, satellite and telecom to accelerate their transformation journey towards TV in the Networked Society.