Photo: SES

BBC Studios (BBCS) and its subsidiary UKTV have awarded SES a multi-year contract to manage the playout and distribution of over 50 linear channels, and associated Video on Demand (VOD) services, SES announced on July 8. 

SES is set to provide playout, content processing, distribution, and VOD services, delivering BBCS and UKTV content to United Kingdom and global affiliates. SES said these services will be based on its European global delivery services with technical playout infrastructure provided from its Stockley Park facility in London and with its Munich playout facility will oversee operational management. 

SES also said it won the contract after responding to a request for proposal from BBCS and UKTV. BBCS is the commercial production and distribution arm of the BBC, and it operates a global content distribution and branded services business. UKTV is a wholly owned subsidiary of BBCS. 

“Our London and Munich service delivery approach is specially crafted so that broadcasters and production houses like BBCS and UKTV can focus on producing great content while we take care of the content preparation, playout and delivery,” SES CEO Steve Collar commented. “This dual facility approach is fundamental to our success in ensuring that we have always-on fully backed-up content delivery services and will enable us to provide the highest quality of service for BBCS.”