Sony scores deal with Showtime Arabia

Post the completion of the implementation by Sony Professional Solutions, Showtime Arabia will be equipped with a state of the art transmission (TX) facility specifically designed for sports programming. Under this deal, Showtime Arabia also obtains two 4-camera complete HD-capable Sports production studios designed and implemented by Sony Professional Solutions, to exclusively cover the English Premier League in both Arabic and English.

Showtime Arabia won the rights to cover and air the English Premier League one of the most popular sporting events in the Middle East, for the next three seasons. Starting with the coming season, which kicked off in August 2007, all English Premier League games are aired live in Arabic and English using industry leading technology platform containing both Sony and third party HD products and solutions.

Mike Whittaker, Director of Technology of Showtime Arabia commented, "After an extensive search to find and implement the best technology, we are pleased to team up with Sony Professional Solutions who are working with us effectively to provide our customers with the very best in football coverage and analysis. Showtime is about providing the best in sporting, movie and entertainment and delivering a compelling viewing experience - we have a winning team!"

"We are delighted to again be partnering with Showtime for this landmark project. Showtime selected Sony, not only because of their confidence in our solution, design and integration capabilities, but also the value we are able to offer through our local office support and training. We are certainly all looking forward to kick-off in August,"

said Karl Hijazi, Professional Services Manager, Sony Professional Solutions Middle East.

Sony has recently launched their new HD training centre located in their office in the Dubai Media City. This training centre will focus on providing HD technology and broadcast operational and technical product training for Sony's customers. The facility will include dedicated equipment and systems for this purpose and will be focused on delivering a wide range of high quality seminars and courses. Showtime Arabia will be benefiting from this new facility and as part of this project, Sony Professionals Solutions will locally deliver all the HD Technology, Camera and Switcher training.

The TX system features a tape-less solution which consists of three channels of play-out, master control/channel branding, server and edit seats, automation, archive and monitoring. With its extensive functionality, the TX system is both HD and Standard Definition capable. The solution will include the fit out of the master control room, transmission suites, edit suites, and the support of voice-over positions.

In line with the TX system, the two HD capable Sport Production studios will feature a variety of key components including the Sony HDC-1500 HD Fibre Broadcast Camera Chains, MVS-8000 Vision Switchers and Sony's new Full HD professional LCD Monitors. The TX system and the studios were recently completed and are in full operation.