Precedent-setting project lays groundwork for FOX to expand digital delivery and convert its entire distribution operations from tape to digital file based.
LOS ANGELES, October 3, 2008 - Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution (FOX) and Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE) announced today that they have entered into a new joint initiative to use internal solutions to facilitate the digital delivery of file-based broadcast material for RTL, Germany, Netherlands and other BCE partners throughout Europe.
This initiative is part of FOX’s first steps toward the goal of converting its entire distribution operations from tape-based delivery to digital file-based delivery by early 2011. The Studio is currently in the process of scaling its internal encoding facility to accommodate for large-volume digital distribution of its content. With this transition, FOX is looking to streamline the distribution workflow process and achieve reduced distribution costs and faster, more secure delivery of broadcast materials to its clients – all with a reduced environmental carbon footprint.
“This is simply a natural progression for us, our broadcast partners, and our industry,” commented John Koscheka, VP-Servicing, Fox Television Distribution. “Our arrangement with BCE is a perfect example as to how partners can use custom technologies to create an integrated digital supply chain mutually benefiting and complimenting each other’s needs.”
Tun van Rijswijck, (COO), BCE stated, "Fox has discontinued the supply of tapes and are now solely delivering broadcast quality digital files for products we have been licensed since early spring 2008. This has created an enormous opportunity to streamline services and to create an entire digital workflow from supply through server-based playout in our markets."
BCE’s digital delivery system, Movie2Me, will allow BCE to service customers worldwide with a digital delivery solution that will easily integrate within their specific workflow.
About Twentieth Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox is a subsidiary of News Corporation. News Corporation’s diversified global operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Latin America and the Pacific Basin include the production and distribution of motion pictures and television programming; television, satellite and cable broadcasting, the publication of newspapers, magazines and books; the production and distribution of promotional and advertising products and services; the development of digital broadcasting; the development of conditional access and subscriber management systems.
