Associated Press now uses intelligent connectivity to enhance global newsgathering and story-centric workflows, connecting tools AP teams use in the field worldwide for faster turnaround.
The Associated Press has now adopted intelligent connectivity to expand its global newsgathering to the next stage and enhance story-centric workflows. This new capability connects the tools AP teams use in the field worldwide, helping them ensure the fastest turnaround for AP's clients.
AP will deploy LiveU Ingest, LiveU Transceivers and LiveU IQ connectivity throughout its global operations – including the industry's largest deployment of LU900Q intelligent production units so far. The investment brings AP's global LiveU hardware fleet to over 100 encoders.
Wherever the Story Breaks
Built for challenging environments, the LU900Q units will support AP's live newsgathering around the world, including coverage from conflict zones, major political events and locations where connectivity can be limited or unpredictable. The LU900Q uses new AI-driven connection management and eSIM software technology – which allows a device to connect to and change mobile network operators via the device settings. This combination means the unit can selectively draw on mobile data networks at different locations depending on their performance at a given time.
This deployment is designed to support AP's teams as they produce live sessions wherever the story breaks. The technology will support a range of AP operations, from live feeds to editorial and multicamera workflows used by the organisation’s production arm, AP 360.
Alongside the LU900Q deployment, AP has integrated LiveU Ingest with its cloud-based MAM system. Supporting up to 10 simultaneous live channels, the integration simplies the way content moves from the field into AP's workflows, helping teams get to near-live and on-demand output more quickly.
Matthew Durbin, Director of Video Technology and Operations at AP, said, "We're excited about expanding our work with LiveU to equip our journalists with systems that can transmit content live wherever the story takes them. Furthermore, using LiveU Ingest with our MAM system gives us greater flexibility and speed, allowing us to move even faster and more efficiently from capturing content to distributing it to our customers around the world."
Transitioning to ST 2110 IP Deployment
AP is also transitioning its infrastructure to a SMPTE ST 2110 IP environment, deploying five LiveU servers alongside a dedicated SDI server. The use of LiveU Transceivers means that AP is able to send and receive feeds with content providers as needed, giving teams flexible access to live sources across the network.
As mentioned, LiveU IQ's intelligent network switching continuously optimizes across available network operators in real time, helping maintain consistent transmission quality as connectivity conditions change. Zion Eilam, SVP, Sales International, LiveU, commented, "AP operates in some of the most demanding newsgathering environments in the world, so reliability, quality and flexibility are critical.
“Therefore, it was important for us to bring advances that give their teams an edge. The LU900Q mission is turning unpredictable and challenging environments into rock-solid connections. As the AP teams use our technology at scale, and in challenging conditions, the feedback we receive from AP plays an important role in how we continue to develop our products and services around these specific challenges."
A longstanding LiveU customer, AP uses LiveU technology to support services for clients and content partners. As demand for digital-first and multi-platform live coverage grows, LiveU-sourced feeds can support distribution across both traditional broadcast and digital platforms. www.liveu.tv
