Harris has published the BXF 2.0 suite – a move that evolves the way
broadcasters and new media organisations share and exchange business data
and on-air content across the media workflow.
BXF, or Broadcast eXchange Format, standardises the exchange of schedule, as-
run, content metadata, and content transfer instructions between workflow
systems – including servers, editors, traffic and billing, sales and scheduling,
automation and digital asset management equipment.
The publication of BXF 2.0 marks an important continuation in BXF development
and implementation – an effort that began with the Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers (SMPTE) in 2004, led by Harris CTO group lead Chris
Lennon.
BXF 2.0 consists of several backward-compatible enhancements to the existing
standard including additional support for sponsored secondary events, re-use of
house numbers, enhanced multi-language support, and the ability to
communicate “aired’ events (previous, current and next).
“Representing a collaborative effort by some 80 companies and already seeing
widespread adoption, BXF is a success story for everyone,’ said Peter Symes,
SMPTE Director of Standards and Engineering. “BXF 2.0 and future extensions
also underscore the vital role SMPTE plays in driving collaboration and
standardisation in support of new technology advances and creating new
revenue opportunities across the digital media ecosystem.’
Harris has incorporated the original BXF version into 11 products to date,
including ADC and D-Series automation, OSi-Traffic media software, and Invenio
media asset management.
Lennon, who also serves as chairman of SMPTE’s BXF Working Group, has
spearheaded BXF development efforts, working with dozens of companies and
well over 150 individuals since its inception. The SMPTE group now sets their
sights on BXF 3.0, which includes a list of useful enhancements that advance
well beyond the efficiencies published in BXF 2.0.
