Harris wins second Playboy TV contract

Playboy TV UK has chosen Harris Corporation Broadcast Communications Division's ADC-100 system for its digital facility upgrade outside of London, following its success at Playboy TV's headquarters in Los Angeles, California.
The Harris ADC-100 system will fully automate the control and playout of program material for 10 channels. There are currently three existing Playboy channels originating from the UK - Playboy TV, The Adult Channel, both international, and Spice Extreme, a UK-only service. Seven additional channels are scheduled for launch later this year. The transmission storage system will be comprised of Pinnacle Systems mirrored digital video servers using MediaStream 900si under Harris Automation control.
ADC-100 is a system that fully automates the dubbing, management and playout of program material from video disks to VTRs, and supports a full range of GPI-controlled devices. The ADC series is a powerful, scaleable and reliable automation system - from newsroom automation to full station automation, or off-line operations, compilation and caching. Broadcast Systems Integrator TSL was the coordinator on the project.
Playboy TV UK Managing Director William Campbell said: "After our successful launch with Harris Automation in the US, it was the natural choice for our operation here in the UK. The ADC-100 is extremely reliable and its flexibility will allow us to expand our channels and services effectively in the future."
Playboy TV UK also schedules content from local UK and European productions, for which the 24/7 London facility provides postproduction and graphic design. The updated facility will integrate acquisition, playout and postproduction for Playboy TV UK, resulting in a tapeless, digital operation.
The technology at the UK facility will follow the US pattern so Playboy can achieve a unified technology rollout around the world, allowing workflow and operational practices to be standardised.
(GB)