PROVYS Technologies, a global provider of broadcast software solutions, reports an active and successful 2024. Cloud-based solutions played a pivotal role in 2024, with customers driving this transition. The company’s development roadmap, presented in June at a client event in Prague, emphasised the importance of an integrated focus on research and development. Many clients demonstrated their trust by upgrading to the latest product version with an automated update cycle. A significant number also transitioned from on-premises installations to fully managed services, enabling smoother and more efficient operation.

Special recognition goes to strategic partners such as Telmaco in Greece, Datos in Spain, and Vantec in Portugal, who helped expand PROVYS’ presence in their respective regions as well as ensuring faster response times and better service for local customers.

“Approaching our 30th anniversary as a globally active provider of broadcast network management technology, we this year introduced a new generation of our flagship product, PROVYS Sphere,” says Karel Votroubek, Chief Commercial Officer. “Announced during the mid-September International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, PROVYS Sphere is a secure television channel management system which enables broadcasters of all sizes to control the entire content acquisition, licensing, branding, scheduling and transmission process. It is designed to help automate workflows more efficiently. Years of dedicated development have resulted in a brand new architecture, seamless integration with API frameworks, support for various AI-driven applications, a modern web-based presentation layer, and automated version deployments. These innovations enhance system security, improve scalability and eliminate risks associated with outdated software.”

PROVYS Sphere is available in three versions:

Sphere Lite is a web-based software tool for planning and scheduling linear channels at small and medium sized TV stations. Affordable and easy to use, it is offered as an out-of-the-box managed service. Features include asset management, programme/commercial/promo scheduling for linear transmission, EPG, rights handling, secondary event handling, broadcast and audience statistics and music usage logging. Basic support is included.

Sphere Pro is a flexible software tool for both linear and non-linear broadcasting. It supports advanced workflows, including automated live event handling, content acquisition, programme planning, scheduling, rights management, and content publishing to any platform. Custom integrations with third-party products are possible via the PROVYS API. Sphere Pro is available as a web-based or Windows desktop application with customisable system configuration. Sphere Pro also includes 8/5 Bronze or 24/7 Silver technical and user support. What sets Sphere Pro apart from Sphere Lite is that the PROVYS team offers a tailor-made solution, ensuring the system is fully adapted to the customer’s specific needs. Features supplementing those in Sphere Lite include extension to non-linear and smooth sport planning with imported metadata.

Sphere Enterprise is a comprehensive management solution for large TV networks. Designed for larger teams, it supports linear and online broadcasting and includes extensions for TV production and advertising sales. Available in managed service and on-premises versions, Sphere Enterprise supports custom integrations, user screen customisation and full system configuration. Features additional to the Sphere Pro toolset include ad sales and production management. 24/7 Gold technical and user support is included.

“In addition to IBC, we actively engage each year with customers and partners at major industry events such as NAB in Las Vegas, CABSAT in Dubai, and Broadcast Asia in Singapore. These provide excellent opportunities to validate industry trends, discuss solutions with customers, distribution partners and other broadcast-focused vendors.

“Major projects during the 2024 included the successful replacement of legacy applications at Digiturk (a beIN Group company in Turkey) and Nova in Greece, both of which stand out as transformational achievements. Among other highlights were the completion of large-scale systems at MTVA (Hungary), AMC International (UK, Spain, Hungary and Argentina), All Media Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) and Viasat World (UK).

“2024 included a merger with Stream Circle (www.streamcircle.com) and Tweenly (www.tween.ly) to form a unified company. This was completed in August. All broadcast-oriented products are now being delivered under one umbrella business unit: PROVYS Technologies, a.s. This strategic move aims to streamline product delivery and enhance customer experience.

“Stream Circle is a TV channel automation and playout software platform ready to enrich the broadcasting experience of all players in the media market. It is ready to support all necessary parts of channel operations, from managing the content, planning the channel, and inserting dynamic graphics to running the playlist and operating the playout server. Its playout component is flexible enough to integrate with other third-party systems and fit into the established workflow.

“Tweenly is a graphics solution designed for broadcast playout applications. It includes the key tools to connect HTML-based graphics seamlessly with channel management systems.

“I am particularly proud of our development teams for delivering innovative solutions such as the implementation of new automated upgrade procedures and the development of a web-based presentation layer to enhance customer workflows. Special thanks go to the team at Alpha TV in Greece who embraced the challenge of being the first customer to test and adopt the newly developed web application layer. Their trust and feedback have been invaluable in refining our solutions. While it is impossible to list everyone, the trust and responsibility we feel from our customers motivate us to continuously improve and innovate for their success. These accomplishments reaffirm our commitment to delivering excellence and driving progress across the broadcasting industry.”