Huawei’s media cloud to house Al Jazeera’s analog content

Doha, Qatar, January 2, 2017 – Al Jazeera Media Network and Huawei, a global leading ICT solutions provider, have entered a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore possible avenues of cooperation to transform the Network’s online platform using media cloud solutions, in a bid to increase the Network’s online viewership and revenues.

Based on the terms of the MoU, both parties will work together to examine the best available options to launch the next generation platform for Al Jazeera’s online content, in a bid to enhance the Network’s online offering. Huawei and Al Jazeera will also explore options for digitizing the Network’s analog content and archiving it online using media cloud technologies.

 “We are very excited to tie up with a well-established media network, like Al Jazeera, to explore possible avenues of cooperation to launch the Network’s next generation online platform. This MoU presents us with a unique opportunity to leverage our offering in the media cloud sphere both regionally and globally”, said Zong Yan, CEO, Huawei Qatar. “Huawei’s media cloud solution supports video production and broadcast, offering Al Jazeera a platform that replaces multiple traditional, independent media-handling systems with a single universal infrastructure, with rendering capabilities 30 times faster than existing transcoding devices.”

Huawei’s Media Cloud Solution employs a converged architecture and media processing resources for computing, storage, migration, and management. The solution enables convergence between office and production service networks; between input, editing, broadcast, and management workflows; and between traditional media and new media.

Commenting on the MOU, Abdulla Al-Najjar, Al Jazeera Media Network’s Executive Director of Global Brand and Communications said: “We are very excited to announce this Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei. We will use this opportunity to work out ways to increase further collaboration between our organisations to help expand new avenues on all our platforms for our audiences. Also from a brand perspective it shows Huawei, a leader in its field is working closely with Al Jazeera Media Network due to our reputation as a leading news provider on various platforms.”

Mohamed Abuagla, Executive Director of Technology & Network Operations at Al Jazeera Media Network said this partnership will be tangible benefits to the network's online profiles. ' We will explore various avenues with Huawei to see how best we can transform AJMN’s online platforms using next generation media cloud solutions. We hope to have in front of us a variety of options to increase the Network’s digital footprint and viewership. Huawei is a world leader in developing Media Cloud Solutions, Al Jazeera Media Network wants to ensure we can also have a state of the art of media processing resources for computing, storage, migration, and management'.

Huawei’s media cloud solution offers media networks comprehensive media services that grant users access to any content, anytime and anywhere. In addition, the solution enables convergence between office and production service networks; between input, editing, broadcast, and management workflows; and between traditional media and new media.