Tier-one broadcast network built exclusively in Encompass’ Altitude Media Cloud

ATLANTA (December 1, 2021) – Encompass Digital Media, a global managed service provider for television networks, broadcasters, sports leagues and OTT platforms, will launch A+E Networks entirely on Altitude Media Cloud, Encompass’ scalable and flexible processing platform built for broadcast and designed to support the most demanding media applications. Altitude offers AEN industry-defining SLAs and complete resiliency across multiple geographical cloud regions for its primary North American networks, including playout of 23 feeds, disaster recovery and archive storage.

“We are excited to be advancing AEN’s North American networks to the next-generation of cloud-first origination services, and with our long-standing relationship, Encompass is the best partner to help futureproof our growth,” states Don Jarvis, SVP, Global Broadcast Operations and Engineering, AEN. “Moving our services to Altitude provides the agility we need along with the broadcast reliability our audience demands, and it integrates seamlessly with our cloud supply chain.”

Altitude Media Cloud is designed around broadcast media protocols, performance, service levels and commercial models. Twenty-three AEN feeds are deployed across diverse geographic regions, supporting both pre-recorded and live events with built-in disaster recovery. Not only does Altitude solve the issue of running critical broadcast applications on virtualized infrastructure, but also provides exclusive and direct access to Encompass’ global satellite and video fiber footprint.

“We are honored AEN is entrusting Encompass to evolve them into a cloud-first media environment for its primary networks, including managing over 40,000 hours of content and the seamless delivery to millions of viewers across the US,” remarks Bill Tillson, CEO of Encompass. “Our goal is to help AEN avoid the turbulence of a cloud transition with next-generation technology while leveraging Encompass’ extensive broadcast knowledge.”

Altitude Media Cloud offers AEN a large-scale content storage system, providing long-term archive in addition to higher performance, shorter term working storage. With content stored securely across multiple Altitude regions, it is both local to AEN and protected from disaster. This architecture offers high-performance access to the entire content library from any Encompass facility, maximizing AEN’s opportunity to utilize the intellectual property while minimizing the costs associated with acquiring, creating, storing, manipulating, repurposing and delivering these assets.

Altitude Media Cloud’s key features include:

• Broadcast-grade SLAs
• Native support for media protocols and standards
• Access to Encompass’ international satellite, fiber and IP network
• Globally diverse availability zones
• Highly durable media storage
• On-demand or commitment-based pricing

“Altitude Media Cloud provides an innovative platform where playout applications are agnostic of compute and storage which avoids specific hardware based or fixed operating environments that inhibit changes,” explains Scott Brown, CTO at Encompass. “With this enhanced service offering, our customers gain a new level of flexibility with increased resiliency that also allows for more rapid go-to market timelines.”

About A+E Networks

A+E Networks® is a global content company comprised of some of the most popular and culturally relevant brands in media, including A&E®, Lifetime®, The HISTORY Channel™, LMN®, FYI,®, VICE TV® and Blaze®.  A+E Networks’ portfolio extends across platforms and genres with a scripted production division, A+E Studios™; unscripted production, Six West Media™; and independent film unit, A&E IndieFilms®. A+E Networks Digital™ includes watch apps, games, FAST channels, AVOD, and SVOD products Lifetime Movie Club® and HISTORY Vault®; and podcasts such as History This Week™. A+E Consumer Enterprises™ includes experiential/branded live events such as HISTORYTalks™ and E-commerce; and A+E Networks International® includes branded channels, content distribution and scripted/unscripted co-productions around the world. A+E Networks’ content reaches more than 335 million households in over 200 territories in 41 languages. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aenetworks and Facebook at facebook.com/AENetworks.

About Encompass Digital Media

Encompass is a global managed services provider focused on supporting television networks, broadcasters (TV and radio), sports leagues and OTT platforms with the delivery of their linear/nonlinear video content and radio across television, digital and radio platforms. Services include: channel playout, global distribution, OTT/TVE streaming, live events, disaster recovery and radio. For more information, please visit www.encompass.tv, and follow us on social media – LinkedIn and Twitter.