LUXEMBOURG, PARIS, ZAGREB, January 23, 2020 – The television group RTL Croatia had expressed a need to migrate its infrastructure, in service since 2004, to high-definition. Already powered by a VEDA 10 system, RTL Croatia reiterates its trust in SGT technologies (Hexaglobe Group) by selecting BCE to deploy its new broadcast system. It is the VEDA 16 products, which are scalable, reliable and robust software solutions designed by SGT and already in production on many systems worldwide, that have been integrated into this project, thus ensuring seamless service continuity. The eight HD channels were broadcast on November 12, 2019, which is about four months after the project initialization.

RTL Croatia operates eight television channels – RTL, RTL2, RTL Living, RTL Kockica, RTL Crime, RTL Passion, RTL Croatia World and RTL Adria (which is expected to be launched in January 2020), secured by two backup channels to ensure redundancy. The VEDA 16 range, integrated by BCE and designed by SGT teams in 2019, is the perfect fit for the Croatian group’s needs, by including reliable and efficient MAM (Media Asset Management) and multi-channel broadcasting (Automation) features, while providing an intuitive and fully customizable user interface.

On customer request, multiple workflow and features have been established to optimize and facilitate operations, adapting entirely to specific requirements, such as automatic archiving, on-demand video file transfer, low-resolution video file generation, complete and automatic metadata management (MAM update, adding editorial information, scheduling VOD export to AWS for client’s RTL Play VOD service).

The migration to this new VEDA system was even more challenging due to RTL Croatia’s specific needs.

Indeed, it was necessary to recover and reinsert all the data from the former system. Also, some equipment already in production has been reused into this whole new infrastructure.

Through the combined expertise of BCE, SGT and RTL Croatia’s teams, the entire project was successfully carried out in about four months, from July to November 2019, thereby overcoming the challenges of a tight planning and high technical constraints.

Technical specifications

The equipment controlled by VEDA Automation and Media Asset Management:

• Harmonic video servers in shared storage
• Video branding equipment: Grass Valley Intuition, Intuition XG, ImageStore IS750 and LGK-3901, CasparCG, DVE Evertz
• Subtitles: Screen
• Switching equipment: Riedel & Evertz
• ISLON (NAS) storages, K2
• Interfacing with BCE’s “Adonis” Traffic System
• Interface to a Rhozet farm in WFS

About RTL Croatia

RTL Croatia, since its establishment in 2003, has become the biggest media group in the country, with three linear channels, RTL, RTL2 and RTL Kockica, three IPTV channels, RTL Crime, RTL Living and RTL Passion, one channel for Croats living abroad, RTL Croatia World and the biggest on-line platform, RTL Play. Thanks to the synergy of regional and local websites, as well as with the diversification of activities like RTL Music company establishment, RTL Croatia sets trends and changes in the media landscape of the country.

About BCE

Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE) is a European leader in media services, system integration and software development in the areas of television, radio, production and postproduction, telecommunication and IT.

With its extensive experience in the media market, our team provides high-quality services and will always find the solution that matches your project and budget.

With more than 200 highly qualified and motivated people, BCE serves about 400 clients in various sectors, such as TV channels, radio stations, film distributors, producers, advertising companies, telecommunications operators and public services. www.bce.lu

About SGT

SGT (Hexaglobe Group) is a leader in TV playout automation and Media Asset Management software solutions, developing scalable and innovative platforms and products. Long-standing player, SGT already provides over three hundred TV channels and brings all its expertise to prestigious international clients, including the top television channels, media groups, institutions, telecom operators and key accounts (Canal+, France Télévisions, Disney Channel, TV5 Monde, RTL Group, Numericable…). www.sgt.eu/en

About Hexaglobe Group

Resulting from the merger of Hexaglobe and SGT, Hexaglobe Group is a leader in the field of digital media and entertainment. This close collaboration is an opportunity to create strong synergies and efficient workflows between the worlds of Broadcast and OTT, marrying products and know-how to build a true transmedia strategy covering the entire value chain.