Intelsat and SISLink have jointly announced the formation of a strategic alliance to launch an HD-ready automated video delivery service for satellite newsgathering (SNG) users in the United States.
The strategic alliance will offer what is being dubbed Intelsat uPod, a fully integrated broadcasting solution that will allow US SNG operators to hopefully execute realtime broadcasting services more efficiently. The new service will blend Intelsat’s space and ground infrastructure with SISLink’s uPod system to support web-based scheduling and transmission of live standard and high definition video, as well as voice and internet communications, between wherever news or sports events are unfolding throughout the continental United States.
SISLink’s award winning automated SNG uplink system, uPod, has proven to be a popular choice for European broadcasters due to its simplicity, HD compatibility and its reliability. Removing the need for a skilled uplink engineer, uPod allows broadcasters to have a true one person SNG operation, with increased flexibility yet returning significant cost savings. As part of this agreement, SISLink developed a new, smaller version of the uPod, the uPod Micro, which is small enough to be mounted onto any vehicle.
The new service is scheduled to be launched in April 2008, initially targeting customers who lease fulltime space segment capacity for SNG applications. A version of the service targeting occasional use customers is planned for launch later in 2008.
“In Intelsat, SISLink has found a partner with a strong business base in the US and a shared focus on exceeding its customers’ requirements. Our revolutionary, client-empowering approach to the uplink process combined with Intelsat’s reach and flexibility, has made SISLink’s most ambitious plan a reality,” said David Meynell, SISLink managing director. “Together, we are changing the way the world gathers and delivers news content.”
“Our highly coveted North American Galaxy fleet is unrivaled in the industry, providing the sought after access news organisations require to meet their broadcasting needs,” said Stephen Spengler, Intelsat’s executive vice president, sales and marketing. “By combining our industry-leading
strengths, SISLink and Intelsat can now offer the most unique solution for content delivery currently available in the SNG market.”
