Global camera network operator earthTV has upgraded its production system to provide images in Ultra HD/4K resolution to TV broadcasters.
The move not only improves picture quality, but also enables new types of programmes, Nikolaus Lohmann, CEO of earthTV network, told Broadband TV News. Images capturing the weather conditions in cities such as New York, London or Paris can now simultaneously be shown on a split screen.
Another new feature is a look into the future. The 3-day weather report World Weather Today shows images of tomorrow’s weather situation based on recorded footage stored in the cameras equalling the forecast weather (see image).
German producers Nikolaus Lohmann and his brother Claudius Lohmann acquired Berlin-based earthTV network in 2012 from Telcast Media Group founded by Thomas M. Hohenacker. In 2013, German publisher Rauch Verlag acquired a 30% stake for €3 million, based on a total valuation of the company of more than €10 million. In 2015, earthTV network posted black figures for the first time in its history, said Lohmann.
The new owners have upgraded the production and distribution system, for example by using cloud-based delivery via the internet instead of satellite links and robotic cameras while the TV broadcasters at the other end screening the live footage can now employ fully automated technology.
Broadcasters can use the images, for example, to accompany weather reports, to bridge news and weather broadcasts, to fill gaps between programmes or to provide overnight entertainment.
In addition to the B2B business, earthTV network also operates an ad-funded travel portal for consumers offering live images from its cameras around the world.
Website operators can integrate customised earthTV players into their B2C platforms as part of a revenue-sharing model, according to Lohmann. An example is German daily newspaper BILD which offers its website visitors a virtual trip around the world based on earthTV’s real-time camera views.
In the US, Science Channel, owned by Discovery Communications, provides a 24-hour livestream assembled by footage captured by the earthTV camera network.
More than 50 customers are currently signed up for full access to the camera network including 30 TV broadcasters such as N24, France 2, Al Arabiya, TRT, TVB Hong Kong and SBS Australia. Others use the network for temporary access, for example to show the New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks around the globe.
