IKO Media Group
iKO Media Group is an end-to-end media services company that specialises in providing solutions to deliver content and video channels to their target audiences worldwide. Partnering with broadcasters and channels, the company provides tailor-made solutions focused on its customers’ needs through dedicated services to a wide range of global and local networks. iKOMG is set up for agility, flexibility, and dedicated customer service 24/7 for all our clients around the world.
One of the key issues facing all broadcasters is the move towards IP and away from costly legacy solutions that are both cumbersome and inflexible in today’s multi-platform environment. iKO’s solutions address that opportunity in both the OTT and linear markets and offer some real advantages over traditional models.
Headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland with an operational base, master-control room and teleport in Rome, Italy. The teleport is located on the top of a hill with full arc visibility. Teleport services (satellite ground stations) containing over 20 satellite dishes for receiving and transmitting, ranging in size from 0.9m-6m in diameter that uplink/downlink from major satellites in orbital positions spanning from 80°E-45°W.
iKOMG has also deployed Viaccess-Orca’s (VO) Conditional Access System (CAS) in its Rome-based teleport. VO’s CAS solution supports simultaneous use of both card and cardless technologies on the same headend and on the terminal, offering content providers optimal flexibility. Based on the highest standards of chipset and smartcard security, the VO CAS solution is pre-integrated with a large variety of chipsets and STB manufacturers to ensure a smooth and fast deployment.
BUSINESS AND SERVICES
SATELLITE BROADCASTING: iKOMG transmits to over a dozen satellites and can receive transmissions from over 20 satellites. Satellite uplinks, space segment capacity and downlink services are available.
CLOUD SERVICES: iKOCLOUD is a cloud-based system with an automated, high-capacity platform for content management services. iKOPLUS is a cloud-based channels monitoring system. Channels are streamed straight from the teleport source into the system. iKOMAX allows the creation of an electronic program guide from every program list format, enabling visibility on sat.tv.
FIBER & IP DELIVERY: iKOMG uses the most updated methods to forward content. The company deploys its own fiber optic network to reach all continents and the most advanced IP protocols such as Zixi, SRT, RIST, UDP, ASI, RTMP, HLS to receive and forward any content needed.
CONTENT AGGREGATION: Content aggregation for channel bouquets including ingest, preparation, hosting, and delivery. Picking content from anywhere in the world, content from different sources is prepared for air per the delivery platform’s technical preferences. Once collected, the package of channels is hosted and delivered as a bouquet.
PLAYOUT MANAGEMENT: The company provides an automated, high-capacity content management facility that delivers superior levels of redundancy and monitoring. iKOBOX is an automated, high-capacity facility for content management services. It provides a seamless workflow to keep a channel on-air by combining scheduling, ingest, playout, interactive graphics, OC checks, preparation, and monitoring. iKOPLAY This Playout Management system is a powerful, platform-independent tool, providing all the features you need to plan and import playlists, monitor playout servers and manipulate the rundown. It allows operators to control an unlimited number of playout servers. Enable real-time graphics from simple channel branding to complex graphical on-air designs, including corner logos, lower thirds and tickers which update manually or automatically from RSS feeds, XML data sources and remote databases. iKOCLOUD is a cloud-based playout and content management system. An automated, high-capacity platform for content management services. This platform easily replaces the on-premises traditional solution, making it quick and easy to create, manage and deliver TV channels to any Pay TV and OTT platform.
DR SERVICES & TV PROGRAM GUIDE: iKOMAX allows the creation of an electronic program guide from every program list format, enabling free-to-air channels visibility on sat.tv. Features include automatic installation and up-to-date channel list, regional channel numbering, ability to add channel logo and category, program guide with illustrations in multiple languages (currently English, Arabic & French). iKOFLOW In case of failure to deliver the channel to the uplink, or losing the signal from the playout source, this solution enables a backup content feed set and selected by the customer. This maintains business continuity in case of major failure at the source. It is accessible from anywhere through any device with a simple 5-minute setup. iKOLIVE Integrate the channels’ streaming services with its social media accounts and delivers the content directly to YouTube or FB/IG live! Social media buttons can be added throughout web and apps to allow users to follow the channel’s social media pages. Each live and VOD stream generates a unique URL that users can share with their friends.
OTT & ONLINE SOLUTIONS: OTT and IP services including the provision of app-based management. iKOFLIX offers an innovative OTT platform for media distribution that allows a channel to distribute their audio, video, and other media services directly to their viewers over the internet via streaming media as a standalone product. iKOFLIX Over-The-Top (OTT) Services gives the channel freedom, accessibility, and potential to reach a larger audience by streaming the content across a large set of smart devices. User experience is an integral part of iKOFLIX which provides the ability to emphasize the channels’ brand and connect iKOFLIX services with Social Media. iKOFLIX Sport APP is an enhanced OTT platform for sports leagues/ sports channels providing content delivery but also a revenue stream for the content rights owner.
SPORTS, EVENTS & OU SOLUTIONS: iKOMG is providing a set of services to circulate any type of live events. These services include satellite broadcasting and distribution, CDN streaming and monitoring, SNG uplink, small-size productions, remote commentary, project management, event coordination, fiber and IP delivery, confidence monitoring link and teleport services.
HISTORY
iKO Media Group has grown rapidly since its formation in 2016 by a group of highly experienced broadcast industry professionals.
At the beginning of 2018, iKO Media Group (iKOMG) provided a complete, tailor-made solution for media giant Blue Ant Media. Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor, and channel operator. From their production houses around the world, they create content for multiple genres including nature, factual entertainment, short-form digital series and kids programming. After the company went through a merger, acquiring multiple channels, iKOMG was able to provide them with a quick solution to meet their needs for connectivity (IP), distribution, storage, playout and use of hotspot satellites. iKOMG’s ability to coordinate quickly and easily with all major operators and arrange for encryption and testing available 24/7 was a key advantage for their clients. In addition, iKOMG services allowed them to distribute 4K content in 3 countries.
Today, the company has extensive experience of managing broadcast and video solutions for clients in the Middle East, Asia and the Caucasus with a growing portfolio of customers in North & South America and Europe.
References
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