DAM good TV

A large global creator and producer of television programs is using Open Text  technology for a new Web-based system to give broadcast customers quicker access to programs.

FremantleMedia has implemented Open Text's Artesia Digital Asset Management solution to enable its regional offices to preview more than 1,000 hours of programming as well as new shows in more than 20 countries where the company has production offices. The solution supports the drama department right now, but will soon expand to other departments, according to a recent news release from Open Text.

"This is already one of our most important sales tools, letting broadcasters around the world tap into the breadth of our programming quickly and easily," says Rob Clark, executive VP for production, Worldwide Entertainment, FremantleMedia. "We look forward to expanding the system across all of our departments."

Says Nigel Dixon, head of information systems and technology for FremantleMedia, "From the outset, we were looking for a DAM [digital asset management] solution that could meet our needs for at least the next five years. That meant it had to scale in two dimensions--by volume and by the nature of the content used. Other critical factors that led to the selection were the ability to integrate into our existing systems and other products, and production deployment within a six-month timeframe."

The initial deployment gives FremantleMedia's sales staff and broadcasters worldwide immediate access to shows shortly after they are broadcast. That has been accomplished through the distribution of DVDs, which causes significant delays. The company is already seeing a time-to-market advantage using the new DAM system, Open Text reports. Also, more than 1,000 hours of FremantleMedia's programming archive is available in Microsoft Windows Media format through the Web application.

Scott Bowen, president of Open Text's Artesia Digital Media Group, says, "FremantleMedia is leading the trend globally toward central management of program content and distribution using digital asset management along with Web-based user interfaces."