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The Weather Channel Purchases Kayenne and Ignite Combo for Improved Live Production Capabilities

MONTREAL, March 21, 2018 — The Weather Channel provides millions of viewers around the United States with up-to-the-minute weather forecasts, storm coverage, and educational programming. As part of its mission to share the best quality live programs, the company has chosen Grass Valley, a Belden Brand, to provide its integrated live broadcast solutions. After assessing the competitive options, The Weather Channel purchased the Kayenne K-Frame Video Production Center switcher and Ignite Automated Production System with the Katalyst Programmable Automation Panel.

In search of a more flexible and adaptable system, The Weather Channel set out to explore all options and made its choice based on a thorough multi-year analysis of the technologies available on the market. It had a positive existing relationship with Grass Valley and determined that its live production solutions were the superior choice for the network's needs.

"We've had a productive partnership with Grass Valley for years. When we decided to update our automated production system, our operators' preference for Kayenne made Ignite the natural choice," said Mike Smereski, vice president of broadcast engineering at The Weather Channel. "Due to the nature of our programs, in particular live coverage of severe weather, we need live production solutions we can count on. We feel that the Ignite automation and Kayenne will provide tighter, cleaner and more consistent live production across all shows, regardless of the operator."

The Kayenne K-Frame brings the highest level of performance available to live productions with innovative features and upgradability, plus full multiformat support including 1080p and 4K. Kayenne is configurable up to 192 inputs, 96 outputs and up to 9 M/Es with six keyers in every full M/E; and Ignite Katalyst is an ergonomic and flexible fast-access hardware control system that works harmoniously with the powerful Ignite system.

"Our production switcher workflow is second to none especially when combined with the power of Ignite," said Kyle Luther, vice president of sales, western U.S., Grass Valley. "The viewers of The Weather Channel depend on effective, quality broadcasts and we're thrilled to be providing systems that will help the company continue to deliver exceptional programming."

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For information about Grass Valley solutions and services, please visit grassvalley.com.

About Grass Valley

Grass Valley is focused on empowering customers to create, control and connect content wherever, however and whenever it is consumed. In this ever-changing media landscape, content remains the most important element. Many of our customers are faced with the need to create and support new workflows while continuing to operate their legacy workflows, simultaneously broadcasting through traditional channels, Over-The-Top platforms, and Video-On-Demand as well as to tablets, PCs, and mobile devices.

We provide the innovative tools and expertise to help customers improve the efficiency of their operations while telling better stories to attract and keep viewers. With Grass Valley's integrated solutions that enable flexibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality and scalability, broadcasters and content creators have what they need to sustain their businesses. Headquartered in Montreal, Grass Valley has been in the broadcast business for nearly 60 years and is part of St. Louis-based Belden Inc. For more information, visit www.belden.com.

Belden, Belden Sending All The Right Signals, and the Belden logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Belden Inc. or its affiliated companies in the United States and other jurisdictions. Grass Valley products listed above are trademarks or registered trademarks of Belden Inc., GVBB Holdings S.A.R.L. or Grass Valley Canada. Belden Inc., GVBB Holdings S.A.R.L., Grass Valley Canada and other parties may also have trademark rights in other terms used herein.

About The Weather Channel

For more than 35 years, The Weather Channel has been the leader in severe weather coverage, providing the most comprehensive analysis of any media outlet and serving as the nation's only 24-hour source of national storm coverage. For seven years in a row, Harris Poll has ranked The Weather Channel as the "TV News Brand of the Year." With trusted meteorologists who analyze, forecast and report the weather - its expertise is unrivaled. Engaging with fans and delivering content to feed their fascination with all things weather is paramount to the network's mission. With the recently launched community platform, weloveweather.tv, the network created a 2-way dialogue with fans, establishing an ongoing relationship with those that have a passion for weather. For more information visit weathergroup.com.

Contacts

 

Bénédicte Fauveau

Media Relations Specialist

benedicte.fauveau@grassvalley.com