BBC gets digital storage solution

BBC World Service has chosen IBM to design and implement a digital production system at the BBC World Service's headquarters in London.

Currently the language service programmes of the BBC World Service are edited by splicing tapes by hand - those that are to be broadcast must be transported to the studio, loaded onto a machine and cued for playback. This lengthy process can be cut hugely by digitally storing the data in a central archive.

The IBM solution - based on RadioMan broadcast content management software from Finnish Jutel - will be implemented over the next two years. The value of the total deal was not disclosed.

The BBC claims that the editing process will be quicker, enabling automation of playout and creation of audio for the internet.

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