Viacom, the New York-based media company, has begun transmission of its Nickelodeon and MTV services to Mexico, Central and South America and selected Caribbean countries using Scientific-Atlanta’s PowerVu digital video compression system.
The system allows broadcasters to maximize a satellite’s capacity by compressing transmissions together and sending multiple signals over the same space traditional systems require for a single transmission.
“With 34% of Latin America’s population age 14 and under, there is a strong desire to add this popular kids network to the cable lineups all across the region,” said Taran Swan, general manager of Nickelodeon Latin America. “PowerVu digital compression offers the solution for meeting our multiple channel needs for broadcasting Spanish and Portuguese programs to the region,” he added.
In addition to supplying the video compression system, Scientific-Atlanta will also provide network management, security and subscriber control for the system.
Scientific-Atlanta employs over 4,800 people in more than 130 countries, and reported 1996 sales of $1.05 billion.
For more information call (770) 903-6611; fax (770) 903-6245, or access the company’s home page at http://www.sciatl.com.