Harris Corporation to Build Four New High-Definition Studios at Saudi Television

The new studios — to be built in the cities of Arar, Al Joaf, Najran and Al Baha — add to the number of Saudi Television HD facilities using Harris broadcast equipment, with additional studios and transmission projects currently underway. Harris is working with Riyadh-based dealer and systems integrator First Gulf Company (FGC).

“In recent years, Harris has continued to deliver reliable and cost-effective solutions to support the rollout of our HD initiatives across Saudi Arabia," said Dr. Riyadh Najm, deputy minister of engineering, Ministry of Culture and Information. "The company's integrated solutions will continue to help us to drive towards greater workflow efficiencies and build real returns on our investment — while continuing to support the construction of some of the most sophisticated HD broadcast facilities seen in the region.”

Move to HD file-based workflows helps drive greater efficiencies and builds return on investment

The new HD studios will incorporate control rooms and playout facilities and feature interoperable solutions from Harris including:

· Videotek® TVM test and measurement devices to maintain signal integrity
· Fiber optic solutions for inter-/intra-facility transport of HD signals
· Predator II™; and Predator II-GX™ multiviewers for monitoring
· Inscriber® G-Series™ graphics products for live production
· Platinum™ routers for processing video and audio signals throughout the facility and across different sites
· NEXIO® servers for content acquisition, production, distribution and media management
· A range of Harris core processing technology including up/down/cross converters and multiplexers/demultiplexers to ensure all content is processed at the highest quality HD.

“We have worked closely with Saudi Television and First Gulf Company for many years to implement the buildout of our integrated solutions at studio facilities throughout Saudi Arabia,” said Said Bacho, vice president, Middle East and South Asia operations, Harris Broadcast Communications. “This latest order for four new HD studio sites underscores our capability to support MOCI’s effort to modernize Saudi Television’s facilities and to build state-of-the-art facilities used by broadcasters around the world.”

In broadcast communications, Harris offers products, systems and services that provide interoperable workflow solutions for broadcast, cable, satellite and out-of-home networks. The Harris ONE™ solution brings together highly integrated and cost-effective products that enable advanced media workflows for emerging content delivery business models.

About Ministry of Culture and Information

The Ministry of Culture and Information in Saudi Arabia operates the official Saudi TV and Radio Networks. Currently, it has nine TV channels (operating in both terrestrial and satellite platforms) and five radio channels (operating in FM and AM frequency bands). In order to cover the whole country terrestrially, the Ministry has about 26 medium-wave and short-wave transmission stations, as well as about 150 TV and FM transmission stations of different power levels. Saudi radio and TV channels reach all continents by satellite.

About First Gulf Company

First Gulf Company is one of the leading contractors in Saudi Arabia in the broadcast field. Its activity covers the entire broadcast spectrum, from TV and radio studios, to TV and radio transmission, satellite uplink, TVRO, SNG, OB vans, etc. FGC enjoys the full in-house capabilities of design, integration, installation and commissioning of systems. FGC is extending its activities into the MEA region.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.