Like most broadcasters, this customer experienced a growing demand for more qualified and accurate metadata, in order to serve both internal and external users. Rich and well-organised metadata means that the programming department can distribute more comprehensive and attractive information about their content, to a larger number of recipients and with fewer resources. The customer had a number of siloed systems with business-critical information, and these systems had been fed with data by teams with different interests. As a result, the organisation lacked coherent rules for metadata, and the workflows had become time-consuming.

Here are some of the systems they were using.

• Proprietary press system

  The customer used a proprietary press system to manage texts, images, rights and regional blocking of programs etc. It was originally implemented as a bespoke press system but had over the years also been used for other purposes, such as sending info to graphics systems (program data such as title, description, image, length, transmission times etc.) and translation partners. At the end, it became difficult to even understand which systems used the data and how it was structured. The specifications were incomplete.

• Rights Management System (RMS)

  The RMS is the company’s lifeblood and feeds linear transmission data into a new Metadata repository and publishing system.

• Metadata repository and scheduling system

  The metadata repository and scheduling system is a web-based metadata and scheduling solution for video-on-demand services. The system enables the company to manage the editorial side of its video-on-demand business across multiple platforms, devices, business models and countries.

• EPG-service

  The EPG service is used for the distribution of linear schedules and metadata to set-top boxes. As EPG schedules became more important, the company started using the EPG service also for distribution to Redbee, Gracenote and other EPG suppliers.