News Headline
Spotv’s game-changing playout tech: Fast, reliable & future-ready
MUMBAI: When it comes to live sports, there’s no room for buffering, glitches, or lag—unless you want angry fans and viral memes.
South Korea’s leading provider of linear and digital sports content, Spotv knows this all too well. To keep the action seamless across southeast Asia, the broadcaster has rolled out a turnkey, fully automated playout system from Imagine Communications, ensuring top-tier reliability and rapid turnaround times.
Broadcasting from a state-of-the-art teleport and broadcast centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, Spotv’s setup is powered by Imagine’s Versio™ integrated playout platform and ADC™ automation. This future-proof ecosystem is built to scale with evolving demands, simplifying operations while delivering world-class transmission.
Why the upgrade? Spotv isn’t just any sports network—it’s the go-to destination for Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, MotoGP™, Roshn Saudi League, and Major League Baseball, among others. As the audience demand for high-quality sports broadcasting continues to skyrocket, Spotv sought a robust, flexible, and proven solution to keep up with the pace. And that’s where Imagine Communications came in.
“Imagine Communications understood our requirements and equipped us with a tightly integrated, highly reliable playout infrastructure that can grow as our needs change,” said Spotv head of broadcast operations and engineering Prakash Maniam. “We know that many media companies around the world have successfully deployed Imagine playout technology, and we are confident that our modern, new system will be able to support our channel playout requirements for years to come.”
Spotv’s newly deployed 6+2 channel origination workflow runs on Imagine’s Versio playout system, featuring embedded ADC automation software. The system integrates seamlessly with more devices and business systems than any other automation product, ensuring a smooth, end-to-end workflow.
Here’s the play-by-play of how it all works:
. High-performance video servers: The Nexio+™ AMP® servers with automatic input format detection take care of ingesting content effortlessly.
. Seamless content management: The Versio Content Portal and Nexio Motion™ asset management software ensure that the right content is prepped and loaded for playout—way before game time.
. Less hardware, more efficiency: Versio reduces the number of physical devices needed in Spotv’s transmission chain, enabling a leaner, more efficient operation.
. Single-user interface: Spotv’s team can now monitor and manage playout seamlessly from a single interface—because who needs unnecessary complexity?
Spotv’s selection of Imagine Communications’ technology isn’t just about keeping things running smoothly today—it’s about preparing for tomorrow’s broadcasting needs. The Versio platform’s scalability allows Spotv to easily expand and adapt to new content demands, ensuring it stays ahead of the game.
And it’s not just Spotv that’s impressed. Imagine Communications is celebrating yet another successful implementation of its cutting-edge technology in the global sports broadcasting industry.
“We are honoured that Spotv has joined the ranks of leading global media companies who have made Versio their playout platform of choice,” said Imagine Communications SVP & GM EMEA and APAC, Mathias Eckert. “This implementation reflects Spotv’s commitment to excellence in live sports broadcast in the region and will enable them to work more efficiently today and prepare for whatever their future holds.”
The new playout system at Spotv was implemented in collaboration with local Imagine partner and systems integrator JAA Systems (JAA.S).
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
