Latest from Broadcast Pro
Broadcast Pro
3 hours ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
SES secures final approvals for $3.1bn acquisition of Intelsat
On May 20, 2024, Intelsat and SES filed applications to transfer control of the FCC licenses held by Intelsat to SES. SES has received all necessary regulatory approvals, including clearance from the US Federal Communications Commission, for its planned acquisition of Intelsat. This milestone clears the way for SES to complete the $3.1bn transaction, first announced on April 30, 2024. The deal, which will see SES fully acquire Intelsat in an all-cash agreement, was contingent on securing multiple regulatory and procedural approvals, all of which have now been satisfied. SES has confirmed its intention to close the acquisition on or around Thursday, July 17, 2025. A formal announcement will be issued once the transaction is finalised.
Broadcast Pro
8 hours ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
First Gulf Company and Arabsat to deliver satellite data services across KSA
This partnership is especially significant for industries operating in remote areas, such as oil and gas and mining, where reliable connectivity is critical. First Gulf Company(FGC) and Arabsat have teamed up to deliver exclusive VSAT and satellite data services across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This agreement leverages Arabsats Geo KU-band infrastructure and FGCs operational capabilities to provide high-capacity, fully managed data and IP-based services, delivering reliable connectivity across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for telcos, MNOs and ISPs. The service enables organisations to maintain and monitor business operations even in the most remote areas, helping to reduce operational risks, enhance security and increase profitability, particularly for the oil & gas and mining sectors. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing digital connectivity, supporting national infrastructure, and enabling digital transformation across the government and private sectors in Saudi Arabia. Joe Chbat, Executive Vice President of Systems Division, First Gulf Company, said: 'At First Gulf Company, weve always focused on delivering advanced engineering solutions for the broadcast and telecom sectors. This partnership with Arabsat marks a strategic expansionextending our capabilities to help increase digital connectivity across the Kingdom. Together, were not just providing a service; were empowering nationwide access to resilient, high-capacity infrastructure that supports Saudi Arabias digital future.' Alhamedi Alanezi, President and CEO, Arabsat, added: 'We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with First Gulf Company, a collaboration that underscores Arabsats unwavering commitment to advancing digital connectivity and supporting Saudi Arabias ambitious digital transformation agenda. By leveraging our advanced satellite infrastructure and FGCs robust operational capabilities, we are set to deliver unparalleled VSAT and satellite data services. This partnership is a significant stride towards a more connected and digitally empowered future for Saudi Arabia.' Starting at 140 Mbps and expected to grow by more than 70% throughout the terms of the contract, the service is designed to scale with market demand and evolving customer needs, adopting emerging technologies such as IoT, cloud computing and AI-driven applications, while contributing to the Kingdoms broader growth ambitions. Together, we are laying the foundation for the digital backbone of the industry, supporting resilient, future-ready infrastructure that will power Saudi Arabias connected future.
Broadcast Pro
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman International Film Festival announces winners of sixth edition
This year's selection spotlighted films that boldly defy convention, where characters live beyond the page and stories emerge from the unpredictability, chaos and raw beauty of real life. The sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival (Awal Film) wrapped up with an awards ceremony held at the Hussein Cultural Centre in the Jordanian capital. The evening, attended by Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and Princess Rym Ali, the festival's President and co-founder, marked the end of nine days filled with screenings, cross-cultural dialogue and the celebration of bold and unconventional storytelling. This year's theme, A World Unscripted , spotlighted films that challenge cinematic conventions, embracing narratives that unfold with raw authenticity and emotional depth. The festival paid tribute to creativity, vision, and the power of storytelling by recognising outstanding films from across the Arab world and beyond. A special highlight of this edition was the Republic of Ireland's designation as Country of Honour, with a dedicated showcase of Irish cinema. Acclaimed Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan was welcomed as the guest of the 'First & Latest' segment, adding further prestige to the program. Across the nine-day event, 62 films from 23 countries were screened, including 16 world premieres. Filmmaker panels and industry discussions drew diverse audiences from Jordan and abroad, emphasising the festival's growing regional and international presence. The closing night honoured excellence in four categories—Arab Feature-Length Narratives, Documentaries, Shorts and Non-Arab Films. In the Arab Feature Narrative category, Red Path by Lotfi Achour (Tunisia) received the Black Iris Award, while Mahdi Fleifel's To a Land Unknown (Palestine) earned both the Jury Award and Audience Award. Jordanian filmmaker Tamara Owais received special mention for her debut script Simsim, alongside first-time lead actor and actress recognitions for Ali Helali, Azzam Ahmed and Saja Kilani. In the documentary section, the Black Iris Award was jointly awarded to (Y)our Mother by Samira El Mouzghibati (Morocco) and We Are Inside by Farah Kassem (Lebanon). Rand Beiruty's Tell Them About Us (Lebanon) secured the Jury and Audience Awards, while Bassam Mortada's Abu Zaabal 89 (Egypt) received both a Special Mention and the FIPRESCI Award. The Arab Short Film Black Iris went to A Passing Day'by Rasha Shahin (Egypt–Syria) and Your Excellency by Musaed Alqudifi (Kuwait) won the Audience Award. Among non-Arab films, Sarah Friedland's Familiar Touch (USA) won the Black Iris, while the Czech animated film Tales From the Magic Garden took home the Audience Award. The short film The Ant That Crossed My Sketchbook by Chris Akoury was screened during the ceremony, capping off a festival that not only celebrated cinematic artistry but also reaffirmed the power of storytelling to connect people across borders. Organisers extended gratitude to the filmmakers, audiences, and partners who have helped anchor the festival in its cultural context while opening it to the world. Looking ahead, the Amman Film Festival is already preparing for its next edition, aiming to build on its achievements with broader programming and deeper collaborations.
Broadcast Pro
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Viu and SBS announce global premiere of ‘Taxi Driver' third season
Viu's latest slate of Originals showcases global collaborations and talent, delivering authentic storytelling with cross-border appeal. Viu, the pan-regional OTT platform under PCCW, and South Korea's SBS network have announced the return of the hit drama Taxi Driver for a third season, set to premiere globally (excluding South Korea and mainland China) in Q4 2025 as a Viu Original. Building on the popularity of its previous seasons, the new chapter continues the saga while expanding into new international territories and showcasing a broader range of Asian talent. Season 3 sees the return of Lee Je-hoon as Kim Do-gi, the complex and relentless vigilante at the heart of the series. Cast members Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin and Bae Yoo-ram also return, bringing back the beloved Rainbow Taxi team. The storyline, crafted by writer Oh Sang-ho and director Kang Bo-seung, promises the group's most perilous missions yet. Joining the ensemble is Edan Lui from Hong Kong's top boy group MIRROR, who makes his Korean drama debut in a key role that forms an alliance with Do-gi. Park Jeong-hoon, CEO of Studio S (in-house production arm of SBS Media Group), said: 'We are delighted to introduce Taxi Driver 3 through our trusted and long-standing partnership with Viu, a platform with strong global influence and reach. Our production team is working diligently to create a high-quality drama that lives up to the legacy of Seasons 1 and 2, striving to meet and exceed the expectations of viewers.' Janice Lee, CEO of Viu and Managing Director of PCCW Media Group, added: 'Our fresh slate of titles reinforces our commitment to compelling storytelling that resonates locally and travels globally. In 2025, we are bringing new international collaborations such as Taxi Driver 3 and My Youth, delivering authentic, locally rooted productions with cross-border appeal. By working alongside world-leading studio partners and by showcasing local and global talent, we hope to continue to support the creative industry while featuring fresh narratives and cultural richness that captivate audiences worldwide.' Alongside Taxi Driver 3, Viu's Q3 and Q4 slates include a diverse range of content across multiple Asian markets. My Youth tells a story of a reclusive former child actor forced to reconnect with his past when reunited with his first love, now a powerful entertainment executive. Other major titles include My Girlfriend Is a Man!, a gender-bending romantic comedy based on a popular webtoon; Love's Ambition, a Chinese romance drama starring Zhao Lu Si and William Chan; Rintik Terakhir, an Indonesian psychological romance and sequel to Aku Tak Membenci Hujan; and Putri & Phrince, a Malaysian high school romance directed by Liyana Jasmay. In addition to its Korean and Chinese productions, Viu is also expanding its Southeast Asian portfolio with 12 new Malay-language projects in partnership with studios like Rumah Karya Citra and Global Station, and co-productions with Telkomsel under the Viu | MAXStream Originals banner in Indonesia.
Broadcast Pro
8 hours ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Actus Digital to showcase AI-powered compliance monitoring at IBC 2025
The LiveU company unveils the next-generation intelligent monitoring solution that converts compliance from cost center to revenue generator. Actus Digital, a LiveU company, will showcase its latest advancements in compliance monitoring at IBC 2025, demonstrating how broadcasters can turn regulatory requirements into strategic, revenue-generating opportunities. The company's enhanced Actus X Intelligent Monitoring Platform will be on display at Hall 7, highlighting a new era of content analysis that combines compliance with business intelligence. Actus X now features powerful AI capabilities and unified workflow tools designed to offer broadcasters tangible value beyond traditional technical logging. By integrating advanced monitoring, intelligent alerting, and real-time content insights, the platform supports a broad range of teams, from editorial and digital to legal and technical operations. Sima Levy, President and Founder of Actus Digital, said: 'Compliance and QA monitoring has evolved from simple box-ticking to intelligent content analysis that drives real business outcomes. With Actus X, we continue to invest heavily in the core compliance logging and technical monitoring features our customers rely on – while extending the platform with powerful AI tools that support news, editorial, digital, and legal teams. This ensures broadcasters gain both operational efficiency and strategic insights from a single, unified system.' Visitors to IBC 2025 will see how Actus X empowers broadcasters with real-time, AI-driven tools including multilingual speech-to-text transcription, content summarisation, facial recognition, keyword detection and ad identification. These features help transform live video into searchable, actionable data, improving speed and accuracy in newsrooms and legal departments. The platform's interactive multiviewer delivers enhanced flexibility with browser-based control, drag-and-drop layouts, on-screen alerts, and metadata-rich displays, all without the need for additional hardware. An upgraded intelligent alerting system ensures proactive quality assurance across platforms and locations, using prioritised QoS and QoE monitoring to quickly identify and resolve issues. In addition to compliance and monitoring, Actus X also streamlines content repurposing for OTT, VOD and social media. Integrated clipping, branding and graphics tools enable rapid distribution of broadcast-quality video, helping broadcasters meet digital demand while maintaining consistency and monetisation potential. Now backed by LiveU's global resources, Actus Digital continues to lead innovation in compliance logging and intelligent monitoring. Attendees can explore the platform's capabilities and schedule live or virtual demonstrations through the Actus Digital website ahead of IBC 2025, taking place from September 12 to 15 in Amsterdam. Stand 7.C19
