Ericsson Announces Multi-year Broadcast Services Deal with UK's Channel 5

Ericsson

, today announced that it has signed an exclusive multi-year broadcast and media services deal with leading UK broadcaster, Channel 5, which is owned by Viacom. The deal, which was won following a competitive tender process, includes playout, media management, metadata, access services (captioning, audio description and sign language interpretation) and business continuity services. Ericsson will provide these services for Channel 5's entire portfolio of terrestrial and digital channels (Channel 5, 5*, Spike and 5USA), as well as for its catch up offerings, including Channel 5+1 and Channel 5+24. Ericsson will also deliver media management services for the broadcaster's Demand 5 video-on-demand platform. All services will commence in May 2016. Paul Dunthorne, Chief Operating Officer at Channel 5, said: "Ericsson showed a clear understanding of our complex playout requirements, including the extra demands of live and fast-turnaround shows, such as Big Brother, which are a crucial part of our schedule. And they promise to offer us the robust and flexible support we need as we