Month: December 2021

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Can art be automated? Can it enhance the broadcast experience?

Posted on | by Tanya Rai

Newscast Studio Column

Written by David Kicks, VP of Sales for The Americas

We all know the phrase “art imitates life.” But can that “art” be automated? That question may sound too metaphysical for the broadcast industry. Nonetheless, we are and have been doing this for some time. TV content is an art form in and of itself and the “art” of taking channels to air for broadcast is, as we know, managed through automation playout services.

Broadcast automation, at its core, is a combination of hardware and software used together to reduce the number of resources required for playout and improve the efficiency and accuracy of the content being played out. 

Not to imply that doing automation well and creatively is anything less than an art itself.  And despite the rise in popularity of on-demand services, the art of linear TV is still the best way for broadcasters and media companies to reach mass audiences according to a 2021 Nielsen Report. Findings from a recent IABM report also outlined that there would be moderately low growth, but growth nevertheless, in linear advertising revenue in 2022. Therefore, advertisers and rights-holders should keep linear TV front-of-mind when it comes to choosing appropriate avenues to increase revenues…

Click HERE to read the article in full.

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TV Technology Buyer’s Brief

Posted on | by Tanya Rai

A feature on our leading solution – Pebble Automation.

Our enterprise Automation software platform delivers robust, best-in-class functionality at a scale that suits your operations and can flex and adapt as your needs change. A powerful centralised ingest, content management and multi-channel solution, it controls mission-critical operations at scores of broadcasters and service providers around the world and is scalable from one to hundreds of channels.

Click HERE to read more.

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Pebble continues growth in Qatar with Qatar TV

Posted on | by Tanya Rai

Qatar TV chooses Pebble solutions as part of their plans to future proof their broadcast operations

Weybridge, Surrey, UK, 13 December 2021: Pebble, the leading automation, content management, and integrated channel specialist, is pleased to announce that public service broadcaster Qatar TV, has chosen Pebble to deliver a bespoke automation, playout and management solution as part of their plans to upgrade their system and future proof their broadcast operations.

Qatar TV is a long-standing customer of Pebble having deployed their Neptune automation software in 2013. In a bid to drive efficiencies in their linear playout and improve the control of their mission-critical operations, Qatar TV commissioned a complete installation of the newer Pebble Automation solution. They ran this in parallel with Neptune before successfully making the full transition to Pebble Automation.

As part of their systems refresh, Qatar TV’s primary objective was to leverage the robust best in class functionality that Pebble Automation offers, reducing repetitive tasks and adding increased flexibility. Choosing Pebble Automation was a cost-effective solution for Qatar TV allowing them to effectively streamline their workflows.


“We have had the pleasure to work with Pebble for a number of years now and upgrading to Pebble Automation was the next step in improving our broadcast workflows and operational efficiency,” comments Ali Elsakka, Head of Engineering at Qatar TV. “Pebble offered a simple migration path, with the reassurance of a seamless transition from Neptune to the powerful capabilities of Pebble Automation. We’re delighted with the success of the project and excellent continued support from all the teams involved at Pebble, and look forward to continuing to work with them for many years to come.”

Pebble maintains a strong presence in the Middle East, with their solutions controlling more than 400 channels across 17 countries at around 70 sites in the region.

Samir Isbaih, VP of Sales at Pebble said: “It’s brilliant that we at Pebble, yet again, have delivered a successful migration to Pebble Automation for another broadcaster in the Middle East. Qatar is a key market for us in the region and having successfully taken Qatar TV to air has been hugely rewarding. We look forward to building on the success we are having in the Middle East as we continue to invest in resources and R&D and delivering solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of broadcasters.”

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FEED Magazine Winter 2021 Issue | Hat-Trick Coverage | Cloud Journey | Winter Wish List | Pebble Remote

Posted on | by Tanya Rai

Time to start planning your cloud journey

FEED Magazine Sponsored Content | Hat-trick coverage

It seems inevitable that everything in media playout – and all other domains in media capture, management and delivery – will eventually be based on cloud technologies. But, despite the rising noise around cloud adoption, most playout today is still based on-premises – in dedicated, purpose-built facilities. And there are significant revenue streams dependent on their uninterrupted operation.

That said, the Opex financial structure of cloud is becoming an increasingly desirable operational goal.
In practice, switching to a fully cloud based system over a short period may be difficult. Investment cycles, capital availability, personnel capabilities and local network capacity can all hinder adoption. But the industry is transitioning, though the rates of change will vary considerably between broadcasters…

Click HERE to read the article in full. (Page 25)

Industry Inventory Wish List

FEED Magazine with contribution from Yucel Timur, Director of Operations

Click HERE to read this piece in full. (Page 140)

Pebble Remote Rebrand

FEED Magazine feature with contribution from Mat Shell, Head of Sales

Click HERE to read this feature in full. (Page 10)