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LIVE's OB5 Takes HD Broadcast to the Next Level

New acquisition consolidates its market leadership

Abu Dhabi, 24 October 2010: LIVE, Abu Dhabi Media Company 's wholly-owned outside broadcast (OB) and production subsidiary, has made a significant addition to its powerful HD OB fleet in an effort to reinforce its growing market leadership, and bring the latest high-definition (HD) technology and equipment to the region's broadcast and media production industry.

The new and improved OB5 raises the bar, going beyond the typical OB production capabilities to deliver a state-of-the -art production facility featuring: 20 wired LDK 8000 HD cameras with camera control units (CCU); several operational control panels (OCP & MCP); 3 LDK 8300 HD high speed cameras for super slow motion (SSM); 7 EVS hard disc broadcast servers (each server comprising 6 channels); 6HD Sony VTR recorders (4 HDW -1800 and 2 DVW -2000P) for the recording of HD video signals; in addition to groundbreaking devices such as a GV Kayak HD 450 equipped with two production panels enabling two simultaneous productions; and a LAWO MC 90 audio mixer outfitted with 72 faders, the second mixer of its kind in the world to be found in an OB van. Additional features include: a HD Canon lens with a wide range of focal lengths and zooming powers, which allows for versatility and creativity in applications; VINTEN tripods for all types of cameras; Sennheiser wireless microphones; and Rediel Artist and Motorola technologies for the wireless and radio communication.

The new acquisition is central to keeping LIVE at the forefront of HDTV production; it also reflects ADMC 's comprehensive growth strategy. "The increasing demand for HD broadcast in the region is a key driver for growth. This is an exceptional opportunity to enhance our HD production capabilities in order to deliver the highest-quality television technology standards for broadcast, while consolidating our market leadership position", said Ed Borgerding, CEO of ADMC .

"We have continuously grown our OB base and capabilities. But a fully-equipped, totally customized, highest-quality standards for HD broadcast OB van has been the final frontier, and beginning today, LIVE has conquered that as well," said Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, CEO of LIVE. "We are proud to mark this milestone. We have created one of the largest HD technology broadcast fleets in the world, by anticipating industry developments and market demands, and manifesting a definite commitment to providing the best tools to our industry peers: we have made the next frontier of HD broadcast and media production a reality", concluded Al Sheikh.

The new OB5 - named Al Jawza'a 'Gemini' by LIVE team, after the biggest and brightest of the stars, joins LIVE's outdoor fleet comprising Alyah, Suhail, Al Marzam and Al Thurayya, also named after stars and carrying a particularly rich significance in the UAE culture, and the wider region.

Since launching in August 2008, LIVE has brought the most exciting sporting and cultural events in the region to millions of viewers globally and has been recognized as a pioneer in HD broadcasting and production, with unmatched technological capabilities in the Middle East. As the only company with a fleet of full HD OB vans in the region, and a team of well-trained and passionate professionals, LIVE is today the largest company of its kind in the region, and is well-positioned for growth in the future.

-Ends-

About LIVE
LIVE Broadcast Production & Facilities (LIVE), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company , is one of the only production companies in the region with its own in-house, high quality, state-of-the-art, High Definition outside broadcast capabilities. Headed up by Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, LIVE is the biggest production company in the region with assets worth more than 100 million AED.

Abu Dhabi Media Company ( ADMC ) is a leading media organization in the Middle East, with businesses in free and pay television, radio, publishing, digital media, games, feature films, music, digital signage, outside broadcast/production, and printing. The company manages over 20 market-leading brands such as the TV channels Abu Dhabi Al Oula and Abu Dhabi Riyadiya/AD Sports, Emirate FM and Star FM radio stations, Al Ittihad and The National newspapers, Majid and Zahrat Al Khaleej magazines, anazahra.com, Imagenation Abu Dhabi, LIVE, and United Printing Press. ADMC partners with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment on VEVO, the online music video platform, and has a first in the region MMOG joint-venture with Gazillion Entertainment. ADMC is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Beirut, Cairo, Dubai and Jeddah. www.admedia.ae

For media information, please contact:
Julia Purcaru
Abu Dhabi Media Company
Email: julia.purcaru@admedia.ae
Tel: +971 50 6505618
Maya Al Nasser
Abu Dhabi Media Company
Email: Maya.AlNaser@admedia.ae
Tel: +971 50 2598548

© Press Release 2010