The International Judo Federation extended its partnership with SES for global distribution of live judo events using SES’s hybrid IP, fibre and satellite network and SES SCORE Orchestration.
The International Judo Federation has extended its partnership with SES for global distribution of premier judo events. For over 10 years, the two companies have worked together on delivery of judo content to broadcasters and audiences in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
From Grand Slam competitions to Grand Prix events, SES has helped IJF deliver and preserve hundreds of thousands of hours of content. As well as archiving and on‑demand access for broadcasters, SES gives end‑to‑end operational support for IJF events, including uplink coordination, pre-event testing, live transmission monitoring, customized booking confirmations and contingency planning. Their collaboration has ensured delivery of live competitions, tailored per destination, and long‑term access to IJF’s extensive judo library.
Under their new agreement, IJF will continue to use SES’s hybrid network, as well as the SES SCORE (Sports Content Orchestration Enabler) platform.
Satellite Transition
The role of satellite workflows in broadcast and media transport, including Live IP transport, has been changing in recent years. Satellite is not disappearing, but rather going through a transition, due partly to structural change such as the re-purposing of C-band spectrum, the potential for 5G interference, and limits on GEO satellite capacity (fixed, continuous coverage without gaps) for broadcast. Satellite infrastructure that has been relied upon and considered stable is now becoming less available.
Consequently, broadcasters, sports organisations and live event producers are revisiting their workflows. Rather than totally moving away from satellite, users are shifting toward hybrid environments that combine IP networks with newer satellite systems such LEO constellations. These are low earth orbit services that account for high-speed, low latency connectivity in high density environments.
According to SES, reach, reliability and quality are key factors in modern multi-screen viewing and accessing connected devices. The hybrid SES distribution network uses satellite, fibre and IP to deliver content directly to any screen – both meeting viewer expectations, and allowing broadcasters and media companies to take advantage of new business and advertising opportunities across different markets.
Hybrid Network
The network is based on satellites located at key video neighbourhoods. The orbital positions work well for live sports and events because they can reach a large potential audience and engage fans globally. Dedicated satellites and transponders include Astra 1 Sports in Europe and SES-14 covering the Americas, and further investment to maintain, grow and update the network is ongoing..
This infrastructure gives producers the ability to handle a range of use-cases, from multi-week tournaments to one-off events from any location, as well as to choose the optimum technology and routing available to meet specific needs. Agile, flexible, scalable broadcast delivery means users can bring their linear, live and on-demand content to new channels or platforms.
Shared Fan Experiences
Furthermore, SES doesn’t only open up satellite connectivity, but also develops complete, end-to-end sports media solutions that lend themselves to the shared fan experiences that attract sports audiences. To improve fan engagement, SES works with other providers on value-added services, including on-site project management, sports channel management, video asset management, clipping and multiscreen solutions and so on.
These capabilities give users options for content localisation, dedicated direct-to-consumer services or targeted advertising, for example. SES has dedicated facilities for handling sports media on three continents, including a sports media centre inside IMG’s connected broadcast centre at Stockley Park, London.
This facility connects to the SES network for global content aggregation, management and delivery of sports and live events. Operating as a technical and operational Master Control Room (MCR), it has access to studio services and other media services.
SES Sports Package
SES Score makes these services and infrastructure available to producers in a package that suits sports distribution. While content owners, rights holders and takers must work within the limitations of continuous broadcasting, they can also seize the opportunities that live events create in different markets.
SES score orchestrates live content in a way that gives takers access to multiple content feeds, delivered by satellite, fibre or IP. Through the platform, rights holders can monetise their content by setting the pricing, regions and availability of all feeds and delivery methods. Broadcasters and operators can make informed decisions on content and its suitability for broadcasting to their audiences. SES SCORE also protects content using updated encryption and conditional access protocols.
Via a single web interface, from wherever they are working in the world, broadcasters can see immediately what content is available to them to take, with visibility into costs and availability of all content components, such as localised feeds and immersive experiences. For rights holders with established distribution contracts that need to work at speed and at high volume while managing bookings, features like bulk editing of multiple events and different levels of automation are available. www.ses.com
