Press Release
Easynet works with Sky News as part of First HD Broadcast for Obama Inauguration
21 January 2009
Easynet Global Services has successfully trialled a new service that allows broadcasters to use an IP network to stream high definition (HD) video content around the world. The Easynet service formed part of Sky News' coverage of the Obama inauguration in HD, giving viewers’ around the world up to the minute content and better quality pictures.
The managed network solution enabled Sky News to relay part of their coverage of the event over Easynet’s Global IP VPN network directly from the United States to the Sky News Centre in London in less than a second. This was done without the need for much of the costly infrastructure often required for major live news events. In the future broadcasters will be able to make significant cost savings through leveraging the versatile delivery of IP networks.
The Sky News coverage of the Obama inauguration is the first time MPEG-4 compression technology has been used over the transatlantic Easynet Global IP network. Sophisticated compression means that high quality video uses less than half the bandwidth of previous standards and as a result gives broadcasters more capacity for their money. Hardware encoding equipment was provided by Cisco and Harris.
Denis Planat, Chief Operating Officer for Easynet Global Services, said “We are truly excited to be involved in the first HD broadcast for Sky News, especially at such a momentous event. The media landscape is constantly changing with the introduction of new technologies. This means that broadcasters need to offer their customers the best and Easynet is helping them to do this by enabling up to the minute, high quality content in HD.
Bevan Gibson, Head of Future Technology for Sky News, said “Easynet delivered these services for this event as we would have expected, on time, and with a minimum of fuss. We hope this will be the start of an ongoing relationship with Easynet in delivering quality video in all formats for us over their IP network. ”
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About Easynet
Easynet Global Services is an international managed networks, hosting and telepresence company, delivering superbly managed solutions for businesses and enterprises. Owning extensive global network, videoconferencing and hosting infrastructure, the company sets itself apart through customer service excellence. Easynet has 20 global offices, customers in more than 50 countries and can deliver solutions in 194. Its Managed Virtual Meeting telepresence solution recently received high profile endorsement as the UK Environment Minister used it to give a keynote speech to 150 attendees at the Climate Change Summit in Sydney.
Easynet's approach is underpinned by professional excellence in understanding, designing, delivering, and managing customer solutions; its ability to work successfully with partners, and its attention to quality. Customers include Sky, the Ford Motor Company, Kia Motors, Calor, Tchibo and Kellogg Italia. Easynet is part of the British Sky Broadcasting group, which has a total market capitalisation of £7.4bn.
Easynet is the Official Networking and Hosting partner of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).
For more information visit www.easynet.com