NEW YORK -- March 12, 2008 -- For the second consecutive year, broadcasts of the recent Australian Open tennis tournament were transmitted to U.S. viewers via a transoceanic fiber link provided by Genesis Networks. The Australian Open marks one of the first examples of a major international sporting event that has chosen a fiber infrastructure over satellite communications for global transmission of broadcasts.
Genesis Networks was under contract by two of the world's largest sports cable networks to deliver video transmission services for the Australian Open. Genesis provided 24/7 transmission for up to 14 different circuits linking the venue to and from the sports networks' production compounds in the U.S. In addition to prime-time coverage of tennis matches, Genesis provided fiber links for sports news-gathering feeds, such as interviews with players and special features. Genesis also provided highly reliable data circuits to support the networks' voice and data communications needs between the venue and the U.S. as well as Internet access. The entire network infrastructure was diversely routed and protected for reliability and redundancy.
"Sporting events such as the Australian Open represent prime examples of the growing numbers of international broadcasting operations that are turning to fiber for transcontinental, and even transoceanic, transmission of their broadcasts," said Paul Dujardin, president and CEO of Genesis Networks. "For these broadcasters, fiber presents a far superior option to satellite transmissions due to its lower latency and the high quality of the signal, which remains consistent regardless of the distance being spanned. Our broadcast clients chose Genesis to provide transmission services for the Open because we could guarantee a secure and diversely linked network that would ensure greater flexibility and reliability."
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About the Australian Open
Held every January in Melbourne, Australia, the Australian Open is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments to be held each year. Like all the Grand Slam tournaments, there are men's and women's singles competitions, men's, women's, and mixed doubles, as well as junior and master's competitions. The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tournament to feature indoor play; its two main courts are Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone Arena, which feature retractable roofs that can be shut in case of rain or extreme heat. The 2008 Australian Open has achieved the highest-ever day/night attendance of any Grand Slam tournament, with 62,885 attendees. For more information, visit www.australianopen.com.
About Genesis Networks
Genesis Networks provides broadcasters, cable networks, production companies, and corporations with high-quality customized global video transmission services that are reliable, flexible, and affordable. The Genesis Networks' platform is a next-generation, IP-based fiber and satellite video network with cutting-edge switching and compression technologies. With more than 100 locations worldwide and growing, many organizations can now take advantage of Genesis Networks" services. The company's network operations center in New York City maintains the health and standards of the global network while the Genesis Networks proprietary software system, IRIS, allows clients to have remote, real-time network monitoring, scheduling, and control capabilities. Additional information on Genesis Networks and its innovative products is available at www.gen-networks.com.
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