News

BGAN plays key supporting role in CNN's TV award

10-01-2008 - CNN has won a prestigious Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for its IP-based newsgathering system that uses Inmarsat BGAN.

The global news broadcaster won the TV industry's top accolade for 'development and implementation of an integrated and portable IP-based live, edit and store-and-forward digital newsgathering system'.

The award, made by the US National Academy of Television Arts and Science, was presented at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. 

CNN is among a number to have been chosen by a panel of experts for a Technology & Engineering Emmy in twelve achievement categories. CNN was the single nominee in its category.

Live reports
CNN's newsgathering system was previously recognised by the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) receiving two top innovations awards, one for Content Creation and also the select Judges Prize for the top entry of the year.

The broadcaster has harnessed the expertise of a range of suppliers - including BGAN terminal manufacturer Hughes Network Systems, Inmarsat distribution partner Vizada, solutions provider Streambox and several other equipment and service providers - to deliver the digital newsgathering operation that went live during the conflict in the Lebanon last year.

Its journalists were able to file hundreds of live reports via laptops connected to BGAN terminals, which they carried in backpacks into the conflict zones.

Huge endorsement
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Awards for news, sports, daytime, public service and technology are regarded as the most prestigious awards for the television industry. While CNN has won a number of awards for news coverage and programmes, this is only its second technology award.

James Collett, Inmarsat's director of commercial solutions said: "We were delighted to be so closely associated with CNN's recent IBC award and some would argue that this is an even greater accolade. It's a huge endorsement of the technological advancement and business benefit we bring to our users with BGAN."

Vice-president of transmission systems and new technology for the CNN News Group, Dick Tauber, said: "This is a fantastic achievement and an honour for CNN. Without the tireless effort of dozens of our staff and the help and cooperation of our partners - Apple Computer, Galaxy-1 Communications, Hughes Network Systems, Inmarsat, L-3 Global Communications Solutions, Streambox and Vizada - we could never have made the digital news garthering system and workflow such a magnificent newsgathering tool and a preeminent success."

www.cnn.com

www.emmys.com

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