Phoenix Rising

Sept 2009

Hong Kong-based Mandarin Chinese television broadcaster, Phoenix TV, has now been operational with ForeTV, the end-to-end broadcast management solution from MSA Focus since Q1 2009.

Phoenix TV serve a substantial Chinese market from their current headquarters in Hong Kong, where ForeTV is hosted to manage all aspects of their 5 channel, 30 user operation from asset management and scheduling through to ad-sales, post-tx analysis and invoicing . There are also several access points at various satellite sites in mainland China providing added redundancy and reassurance with regard to service continuity.

MSA Focus’ skilled regional team, headed by Phua Lik Chin in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has provided full training and managed the system’s integration, which is built around a distributed architecture and includes interfaces to the SAP financial system, Dayang MAM system and Pebble Beach automation.

Phua Lik Chin, MSA Focus Regional Manager says the use of the Microsoft® .NET® framework is key to the success that ForeTV has found in the marketplace. "We don't need to develop software but can instead buy components and plug them in to ForeTV," he explained. "Those cost reductions are then passed on to the client, reducing the cost of ownership."

The reduced cost also makes it easier to add functionality like the ability to more easily manage next-generation services like targeted advertising and robust VoD services. "A lot of broadcasters want to jump on IPTV and VoD but are looking for systems that have an architecture that permits that expansion but won't cost a fortune," added Lik Chin. "We've been pretty successful in achieving that."

Phoenix has continued its investment in cutting edge solutions with the purchase of two virtual studio systems from Orad and Vinten Radamec for its new Hong Kong studios. These include a full Orad graphics system and two Fusion robotic pedestals plus six robotic heads (plus standard Vinten tripods and pedestals).

"Phoenix is the CNN of greater China. It's the only news network accepted by both mainland China and Taiwan, and has about 175 million viewers," said Fai Keung, sales director, Orad Hi-Tec Systems (North Asia).

It will mean that Phoenix now has six virtual studios in the region. "They want to work in a very efficient way, with very few cameramen and to take the technological capabilities to the limit," Keung said.

"It will be one of the first to use virtual tracking with the Fusion," added Mark Osborn, business development manager, Vinten Radamec.

Phoenix is now building a new studio in Beijing that will become its new HQ. It will be twice the size of the Hong Kong studio and will use both companies' systems there too