Baldock, UK – EBS, a full-service provider of EPG data for platforms and channels worldwide, announced on March 25 that it has expanded its EPG data services for domestic and international channel distribution company IndiaCast. A joint venture between TV 18 and Viacom 18, IndiaCast distributes channels Colors and Rishtey (Viacom 18) and now 24/7 news channel News18 India (TV 18) to viewers in the UK. News18 India offers a dynamic and customised mix of programming reflecting the interests and needs of the Indian population across the world.

Providing IndiaCast with a full EPG data service for all three channels, EBS takes all the scheduling information and restructures it to meet the requirements of the Sky Digital platform, as well as series linking the programming and encrypting the channel as necessary. EBS also delivers EPG data on behalf of the Colors and Rishtey channels to Virgin and Freesat. To enable the channels to meet the EPG data requirements of each platform, EBS packages the data in a specific way to include: correct file format; permitted character length; additional data fields; and flags etc. EBS’ in-house scheduling application Mediator allows restructuring and distribution of metadata such as cast, genre, duration of programme, country of origin, director and year, images, as well as programme start-over, programme catch-up flags and series linking.

Govind Shahi, Vice President, Indiacast said, “We’ve been working with EBS for four years now and have always found the company to be very reliable. It’s important that we provide the correct data to platforms to ensure that viewers have a fully accessible EPG service. EBS enables us to do this.”

Matt Smith, Business Development Manager, EBS added, “We’re delighted to announce this extension of our services to IndiaCast. Channels have to fulfil a growing number of requirements for platforms all over the world and are not always able to deliver the level of data needed. As such companies like IndiaCast are turning to EBS to provide a solution to this problem.”