Globecast has been selected by Quran Hidayah International Network to provide a
comprehensive suite of playout and distribution services for its launch of 40
channels around the world.
Quran Hidayah is based on readings of The Noble Quran in multiple
languages, the largest network to broadcast The Noble Quran with 40
channels in total (across 30 languages), being distributed by Globecast. Digital Media
has been working with Quran Hidayah International Network to create these
channels, providing a wide range of production services.
Globecast hosts Digital Media’s state-of-the-art playout platform and provides the
services around that to manage the playout servers. Digital Media is managing the
content and uploading it using remote playout capabilities. For operators this means
they can upload the content remotely, using a simple web-based scheduling app,
organising the playlist via that application.
Globecast is also providing encoding and multiplexing as well as fibre and satellite
distribution. The encoded signals are distributed globally on six satellites, with fibre
distribution to the various uplink sites. The channels are distributed on: AsiaSat5
(uplinked from Amman, Jordan); Arabsat5C (uplinked from Amman, Jordan);
Palapa1D (uplinked from Jakarta, Indonesia); Galaxy19 (uplinked from Culver City,
Los Angeles); HotBird (uplinked from Paris, France); Hispasat1C (uplinked from
Madrid, Spain).
The channels will also be distributed in real time on YouTube with Globecast
providing the encoding/streaming to YouTube, using the live signal. All the satellite
channels have been launched with a phased launch of the YouTube services through
July.
Giorgio Giacomini, Globecast Middle East managing director, says, “This is a very
major project that has required a great deal of careful thought and planning. We
worked closely with Digital Media across this project, using our technical and
market expertise to provide a complete playout and distribution structure with
inbuilt flexibility.’
Ayman Lasheen, Digital Media managing director, adds, “We are very pleased to
announce the launch of Quran Hidayah channels. The Quran Hidayah bouquet is
intended to be the new worldwide trademark in Islamic and Quranic channels.
Globecast is providing us with excellent distribution services: no other provider can
deliver this level of connectivity to playout and distribute this number of channels in
such a technically elegant and cost effective way. “
