CBC, Canada's national public broadcaster, has rolled-out its CBC News Express broadcast service to five major airports across Canada – including Toronto Pearson International Airport, the busiest in Canada – to ensure that critical news and weather reports are available to the thousands of people who pass through the country's airports each day. The service is powered by Capital Networks Limited’s Audience digital signage solution, which enables it to present the latest video content and live data feeds for up-to-the minute local and national news, weather, business and sports updates. The highly scalable Audience platform will allow CBC to deliver its News Express service to more airports and more public spaces in the near future.
CBC is dedicated to delivering its news journalism to a wide audience and across a range of media, exploiting new and innovative new media – such as digital signs – to connect with people no matter where they are. The broadcaster was replacing a previous system and needed a solution with advanced content management capabilities that would be able to support the expansion across multiple airports. The Audience solution is an open system that integrates easily with existing hardware and software so CBC didn't have to 'rip and replace' its entire infrastructure, which helped minimize costs.
“As Canada's national broadcaster, CBC takes the management of public dollars extremely seriously. And, CBC: News Express is an important source of commercial revenue for the Corporation. Similarly, we can't compromise quality for cost because we have a reputation for delivering technologically advanced broadcasts across every medium,” commented Robert Bishop, executive producer at CBC. “After a rigorous selection process, we chose Capital Networks as our digital signage partner because it delivers on both these points: the solution is cost-effective because it’s so scalable and open; and the quality of broadcast is second to none, as is content management.”
“Capital Networks bridges the gap between digital signage and broadcasting,” Bishop continued. “Most companies fall into one category – digital signage vendor or broadcasting production – but Capital Networks has a solid history in both. Its Audience broadcast solution ensures that our programming is really sophisticated in terms of layout and design and meets our need for flexibility and rapid delivery in a rapidly changing news environment.”
CBC's editors create all the video news content in the corporation's Toronto Broadcasting Centre. Digital files are managed through Flip Factory and delivered into the Audience system at the click of a mouse. This creates a seamless flow so editors don't have to spend time uploading, and news items go into the system immediately. Added to this, local data from news and weather reports are integrated into the system via live data feeds so travelers see local information as soon as it's reported.
Jim Vair is VP Business Development at Capital Networks: “CBC is an extremely well respected cultural institution so of course we are delighted to be working alongside them as they expand the News Express service into more airports across Canada. The speed of delivery via digital signage means that it is an ideal way of communicating real-time news to public spaces. We look forward to working with CBC in the future as it continues to grow its broadcast services and reach new audiences, while all the time providing a valuable public service.”
For further information, please contact Jim Vair, Vice President Business Development.
T: 905 946-1122 ext 231.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.
About Capital Networks Limited
Capital Networks Limited is a privately held company based in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1991, Capital Networks is a respected marketing, integration and sales organization for all DiGiMATiON incorporated software products and a leader in the supply and support of advanced multimedia systems to communications companies engaged in cable television operation, broadcasting, direct-to-home and place-based media. Capital Networks has sold Audience™ software through authorized re-sellers into various market segments including Digital Signage, Cable TV, Education, Corporate and Medical applications in 35 countries. Current clients include: OLGC - Ontario, York Region Police - Ontario, RCMP - Canada, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, N.A.I.T. - Alberta, Pan Pacific Hotels - Singapore, Bell Globe Media - Toronto, Cablevision - New York, Rogers Cable TV - Toronto, Cox Communications, Electronic Arts - Canada, and many others.
About DiGiMATiON incorporated
Founded in 1982, DiGiMATiON incorporated designs and develops leading-edge Broadcast Multimedia software systems. Staffed by a team of highly experienced programmers the firm has undertaken many high profile coding assignments for some of the best known communications companies in the world. The Audience™ suite reflects a remarkably flexible product line widely accepted by leaders in a wide range of industrial, educational, broadcast, cable, digital signage, hospitality, military and medical applications.
