News Broadcasting
Italy’s regional public service broadcaster RAS goes live with Synamedia virtualized DCM
MUMBAI: Italy’s regional public broadcaster RAS has gone live with Synamedia virtualized Digital Content Manager (DCM) as it prepares to migrate from DVB-T SD/HD to DVB-T2/HEVC HD services by June 2022. Since deploying Synamedia’s future-proof software-centric DCM solution, RAS has the flexibility to transition smoothly to the new standards within this deadline.
RAS is using Synamedia DCM for satellite input and DVB-T transmissions and virtualized DCM for encoding in a private cloud. The catalyst for the deployment was RAS’s office relocation in Q4 2019. This required all of the broadcaster’s technology systems to be moved seamlessly – without any disruption to TV and radio services or to the broadcaster’s public safety DTT emergency alert system for the Südtirol region.
German software house Dimetis integrated Synamedia’s hybrid DCM/virtualized DCM with the latest version of its BOSS BROADCAST Manager (BBM) software platform and managed the technology move to the new office. Orchestrated by BBM, the private cloud-based deployment has allowed RAS to automate workflows and streamline operations, boosting operational efficiency. BBM also provides RAS with glass-to-glass DVB and DAB+ service monitoring.
A long-time Synamedia customer, RAS selected virtualized DCM after a thorough review of the competitive marketplace. The solution virtualizes the entire video headend, providing encoding and statistical multiplexing capabilities in a single solution; it is also capable of handling DRM, packaging and advertising. RAS was impressed by Synamedia’s compact software-centric DCM design, which offers a proven and seamless migration path to DVB-T2. Other factors included the superior video quality achieved in the proof of concept, its graphic insertion capabilities and its rich set of APIs.
Johann Silbernagl, CTO at RAS, said, “This deployment marks the beginning of our journey towards full DVB-T2 services in 2022. The powerful combination of Synamedia’s software-centric DCM solution and Dimetis’ BOSS BROADCAST Manager gives us a state-of-the-art solution that is flexible enough to meet today’s requirements while also giving us the freedom to transition seamlessly to the new standard at our own pace. As a public broadcaster, this futureproofing capability is particularly important.”
Julien Signes, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Video Network at Synamedia, said, “The flexible design of our software-centric DCM is proving to be highly appealing to public broadcasters such as RAS. RAS is now benefitting from the freedom of our hybrid headend that delivers the ultimate in picture quality and will enable them to transition smoothly to a DVB-T2 software-based future by their 2022 deadline.”
Thomas Will, CEO of Dimetis added, “We successfully managed the technology move and the deployment of the latest version of our BOSS BROADCAST Manager platform integrated with Synamedia’s DCM solution without any interruption to RAS’s TV, radio and emergency alert services. RAS is also now benefitting from considerable operational efficiencies thanks to our intuitive BOSS dashboards.”
Synamedia’s video network portfolio powers premium quality broadcast and broadband video for more than 1,000 operators worldwide and 100 million daily viewers. Its video distribution, processing and delivery services and solutions create compelling live multi-screen experiences, enable software-defined video processing and unify operations. The award-winning portfolio also touts a cloud-ready, converged broadcast and broadband end-to-end ATSC 3.0 offering and low latency solutions for live video. Its virtualized digital content manager (DCM) features live transcoding to multiple bit rates and formats, scalable video functions, and best-in-class video quality all aimed to deliver infinite entertainment.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
