BBC automates file delivery process

The Mediaflex asset management platform has replaced the broadcaster’s manual system for receiving Digital Production Partnership (DPP) AS-11-compliant files, which has been in use since October last year.

“On 24 August we switched to an automated and resilient method of receiving digital files and retaining them for our digital archive and a mechanism for delivering them to playout,” said Marina Kalkanis, director of platform and common services at the BBC.

“Indeed, we already have more than 2,500 file-delivered programmes in the Mediaflex system. This is a great achievement by a dedicated team from the BBC, working in close co-operation with TMD.”

Mediaflex extracts DPP metadata from the files and raises the appropriate workflow which is then validated by the BBC’s Media Services team.

Mediaflex interacts via APIs with the Interra Baton AQC system to verify DPP format compliance. It also works with Telestream Vantage to create proxy versions and AmberFin iCR to normalise any detected format issues.

Media processing can be prioritised based on analysis of the BBC’s schedules.

Mediaflex uses Signiant Agents to move or copy TX-ready content locations such as in-house pre-TX storage and to Ericsson, the BBC’s outsourced playout service provider.

Transmitted content is moved to post-TX storage based on an analysis of the received TX As-Run logs.

TMD chief executive Tony Taylor added: “This was a hugely prestigious project, and we are delighted to have delivered to the BBC’s milestones.

“The architecture of the file-based delivery and acceptance system means we had to integrate with a number of other vendors’ equipment so achieving this deliverable was a technical challenge.

“However, we now have a clearly demonstrable automated solution for DPP – and therefore for AMWA AS-11 – running at the leading broadcaster in the UK. This is a great solution which can be rolled out worldwide.”