MUMBAI: Tata Communications recently announced that it is providing the official F1 licensee/broadcaster Chello DMC live Formula-1 video feeds via its wholly owned fibre network for the first time this season.

The high quality video feeds, broadcast on Dutch sports channel - Sport1 - will be used for the channel’s full 2014 race season coverage.

Tata Communications is the official connectivity provider of Formula 1 and by giving Chello DMC access to the video feed it stands to benefit from the deal. Six live feeds and an additional unilateral feed from all 19 races this season will be distributed via the fibre network for broadcast on the Sport1 channels and via the Sport1 app.

The investment in fibre by Chello DMC is in line with its wider strategy to provide clients, such as Sport1, with the expertise and technology to increase the value of its broadcast content through improved quality, choice and cost efficiencies. By using Tata Communications’ fibre network for delivery, Sport1 now has the opportunity to provide its subscribers with not only a complete race overview, but also additional services, such as onsite commentary, across all devices.

Chello DMC VP & GM Jelmer Kleingeld said in a press statement: “Formula 1 is one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. As the Official Connectivity Provider of Formula 1®, Tata Communications already has the major fibre operations in place making it possible for us to pick up high quality content at an improved latency rate. We are committed to providing a highly innovative service to our client Sport1 and this new distribution capability opens up greater possibilities for the services we can provide to our clients in the future.”

Consumer demand for high quality, live content across different platforms is growing, and at the heart of this change is the transition towards fibre networks to deliver the highest quality live and file-based video, securely and to numerous devices (televisions, tablets, smartphones and laptops). The secure and massive bandwidth provided by our fibre helps broadcasters to effectively monetise their rights, especially for live events.

Tata Communications CEO - Growth Ventures Rangu Salgame added: “For Tata Communications this is another important development in our role as Official Connectivity Provider of Formula 1® and proven track record in providing global media solutions to our clients. By delivering the highest quality video feeds over our wholly-owned fibre network we are able to offer clients of Formula One Management, such as Chello DMC, enhanced experiences.”