KIT digital Seamlessly Transitions Racecourse Media Group Facilities to New Home at Timeline TV
16 Aug 2012KIT digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITD), a leading video management software and services company, announced that its European-based Broadcast Systems Integration arm (BSI), previously known as Megahertz Broadcast Systems, has completed the build out of a new tapeless high-definition (HD) broadcast production facility for Timeline TV at Ealing Studios in London. Timeline TV, a leading broadcast facilities provider, will support multiple broadcast customers in its new HD facilities, including Racecourse Media Group (RMG).
The West London complex houses the satellite and cable channel Racing UK, betting shop channel Turf TV and the international racing services provided by GBI Racing. The latter is a joint venture between At the Races and Racing UK taking British and Irish horseracing to international markets including Europe, South Africa, Australia and South East Asia.
The facility, which went live at the end of February, comprises five production galleries, with associated sound control and voiceover booths, three Final Cut Pro edit suites, and a three-camera, 800 sq ft studio and Master Control Room.
To implement the move for RMG into Ealing Studios, Timeline TV was keen to work in partnership with a systems integrator that could complete the work to the highest specification — on time and within budget. As Timeline TV had worked previously with KIT digital BSI, and in addition had witnessed the company’s successful delivery of other high profile projects to similar service providers, including three HD OB trucks for RaceTech and Racing UK, KIT was the natural choice to complete this turnkey project. KIT digital BSI was influential in designing the new facilities from the ground up and worked closely with Timeline TV to specify the appropriate solutions to comprise the new, server-based studio facility.
“Key to the success of this installation is the rigor and determination of KIT digital’s systems integration team to facilitate the completion of this new facility on schedule and with no down time to the services provided to RMG,” said Dan McDonnell, Managing Director of Timeline TV. “Effectively the construction of the building and the broadcast installation was completed concurrently — while we simultaneously moved the IT infrastructure for about 40 people from Teddington studios.”
McDonnell continues, “It was not an option for RMG to go off air so the services were transferred to their new Timeline home at midnight on 27th February, and was on air live for the first race on the 28th February 2012. KIT digital’s systems integration team responded well to the short timescales and ongoing tweaks by delivering a seamless transition ahead of schedule and on budget.”
“This was an extremely challenging project because of the tight timescales involved. We partnered very closely with Timeline TV to deliver a future-proofed HD facility, designed with their anticipated future needs in mind,” said Steve Burgess, Technical Director of KIT digital. “Despite these extremely tight deadlines, our team completed the installation, testing and training with enough time to spare to allow RMG a two week rehearsal window before going on air from Ealing Studios.”
KIT digital’s team has the breadth of experience and expertise in systems integration that ensures the company delivers first class solutions for fixed or mobile applications that meet the many technical and operational challenges seen in sports broadcasting today, and as demonstrated at Timeline TV against challenging timescales.