Turner Broadcasting Builds Business Continuity Process With OmniBus iTX

Turner
Broadcasting has created a business continuity process (BCP) utilizing OmniBus
iTX, the IT-based production, automation and playout system. The new system is
designed to provide short-term backup and service replication in the event of
unexpected or planned interruption to Turner’s Atlanta-based entertainment
channels.
A key
requirement for the BCP process was the ability to mimic existing workflows of
the primary channel and emulate a fully crafted on-screen look with nearly
seamless channel identity. Although based on completely different technology,
the iTX-based system is able to replicate the output of Turner’s conventional
transmission chains with intact channel branding and full integration with the
primary facility’s traffic and metadata systems.
The iTX
BCP system supports the AMWA ASO2 MXF OP1b format chosen as a standard across
all of Turner’s facilities. The format allows Turner to reference multiple
audio files for a single piece of video, providing greater versatility in
handling commercials and multi-lingual broadcasts.
To
protect against gaps in the programming where live content is temporarily
unavailable due to disruption, iTX supplies evergreen content to fit the
schedule. Content is automatically selected and inserted into the schedule in
accordance with a set of business rules applied by the iTX software.
Turner
already uses OmniBus iTX to drive its Turner Mobile service, which streams the Cartoon
Network and Adult Swim entertainment channels to mobile viewers.
“The
entire issue of financial impact caused by outages is a serious one for any
broadcaster,” said Mike Oldham, CEO, OmniBus Systems. “The loss of
subscriber and advertising revenue, and the cost of insurance against
liability, can have a major impact on the bottom line. In this context a
well-implemented business continuity system delivers significant value to a
business, as well as reassurance and operational flexibility. We are delighted
that Turner Broadcasting has extended its deployment of iTX to create this
innovative and versatile BCP system.”