ON TV, a leading independent broadcaster in Egypt, has successfully completed a significant upgrade to its broadcasting infrastructure. The project involved migrating to the latest enterprise automation software from Pebble, a specialist in automation, content management, and integrated channel solutions. The implementation and migration were expertly handled by Cairo-based integrator Systems Design.
ON TV has relied on Pebble automation for years, initially using the Pebble Neptune platform. As the broadcaster expanded to five channels, the need for enhanced resilience, flexibility, and scalability became apparent. The migration presented a unique challenge: maintaining uninterrupted broadcasting while upgrading the Pebble control level and content management database, all within the existing server network and switchers.
Pebble and Systems Design collaborated to create a phased migration plan. The new software was first commissioned and tested on backup hardware, enabling a seamless switchover of channels one by one. The result? Zero interruptions to ON TV's broadcasting schedule.
Currently, ON TV's five channels operate on a fully redundant 5+5 configuration, including main and backup servers, master control switchers, and graphics engines. A single router manages switching and Pebble content management across all channels and storage. The migration's complexity was amplified by the router's simultaneous control by both the old and new automation platforms.
ON TV's programming blends fully automated playout with live events. The broadcaster leverages Pebble's Auto Resume feature, enabling operators to seamlessly transition between scheduled programming and live feeds, returning to the scheduled programming at either the interruption point or the current time. Live events are recorded on the same server network, managed by Pebble automation, supporting both pre-planned events and immediate crash recording.
“We have grown as a broadcaster from a single channel to the major independent voice in television in Egypt,” said Ahmed Saber, Technical Director of ON TV. “From day one we have counted on Pebble’s rugged and reliable software to manage our workflows, and we had complete confidence in returning to them for the next phase of our growth. Not only does the new Pebble automation platform future-proof us for whatever challenges face us, the local engineering team, along with Systems Design, installed it and switched over with no interruptions – a real achievement.”
Samir Isbaih, Pebble VP of sales for the Middle East and APAC, added, “I was the engineer who installed the original system all those years ago, and it is great to see the company grown to be one of the largest and most successful television networks in Egypt. I am delighted and proud to continue the relationship through this project and to install the next generation of automation, with Pebble MENA customers are guaranteed the high level of reliability and the exceptional support they expect and truly deserve.”