CBC/Radio-Canada Selects iTX Integrated Playout Platform

CBC/Radio-Canada has chosen the iTX integrated playout platform from
Grass Valley for its new Maison de Radio-Canada broadcast center in
Montreal, due to open in 2020.
Handling over 100 TV, radio and web channels, and supporting SMPTE ST
2110, iTX will enable the broadcaster’s production teams to seamlessly
manage multiple formats – such as 4K UHD – and mix IP live inputs using
back-to-back IP sources and file-based clips.
An open standards-based IP approach allows CBC to be fully format and
resolution agnostic, while providing needed flexibility and scalability
to adapt its services to changing viewer demands. The solution comes
with full disaster recovery between the broadcaster’s facilities in
Toronto – which handles CBC’s English language services – and Montreal.
The second phase of this development will see an upgrade of the Toronto
facility, set to commence in 2020.
“Being an early adopter of IP playout has put our business in a very
strong position. We already use iTX for playout at our Toronto facility,
so the fact that our staff know how the system interface works is a
huge advantage,” said Francois Vaillant, executive director engineering
at CBC/Radio-Canada. “Having the same IP technology in Montreal and
Toronto means we can unify our workflow between the two locations –
sharing expertise between our two language services and simplifying our
operation, training and maintenance process.”
Grass Valley was selected after a rigorous RFP and shortlisting process
for its ability to deliver a robust system that met the broadcaster’s
exacting requirements.
Vaillant added: “Open systems IP technology is the most dynamic playout
avenue, enabling us to continue delivering more digital services and
reaching audiences through more platforms. The flexibility and agility
of IP also enables us to protect our infrastructure investment – even if
file formats and service models change in the future. We chose Grass
Valley because no other company had the deep knowledge required to
accomplish this flagship project, demonstrating unwavering commitment to
understanding our needs so this deployment would be as smooth as
possible.”
“As broadcasters continue to make infrastructure upgrades – enabling
their audiences to engage with more content across more devices and
platforms – efficiency becomes increasingly vital to their business
models. IP delivers the agility, scalability and flexibility our
customers need to take on the challenges of a multiplatform, multiscreen
and content-hungry mediascape,” said Tim Shoulders, president, Grass
Valley. “CBC has taken a strong step into the future by deploying
field-proven, open standards-based IP playout technology for its new
broadcast center. Grass Valley and CBC have a long history together and
I’m thrilled that Grass Valley will continue to be a key component of
CBC’s efforts to delight Canadian audiences with impactful and
compelling stories. With a headquarters in Canada and a substantial
number of our employees being Canadian, this partnership is very close
to the heart for Grass Valley.”
Grass Valley’s iTX provides robust IP/SDI format flexibility and
scalability for future readiness, along with advanced end-to-end
workflow tools for greater process automation and lower OPEX. With more
than 17 million hours of broadcast television delivered by iTX each
year, its channels range from national broadcasters and global brands to
local stations and live events.