Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, media analyst Paolo Pescatore takes a look at the partnership between BT and Telstra Broadcast Services, and explains why companies leveraging each other's expertise and assets can help them meet customers ever-changing needs
By Contributor
Published: November 24, 2023 Updated: November 27, 2023
Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, media analyst Paolo Pescatore takes a look at the partnership between BT and Telstra Broadcast Services, and explains why companies leveraging each other's expertise and assets can help them meet customers' ever-changing needs
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
On Tuesday, BT and Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS) announced a strategic alliance for an initial five-year period. Both companies will combine their global media network teams, network infrastructure, and localised expertise.
This is a significant move considering the current market challenges in media and broadcast. As previously noted at key industry events this year, including both NAB and IBC shows, there are too many companies currently chasing too few dollars in the industry. While there has been a general positive buzz with a return to in-person events, all players are struggling in a challenging macroeconomic environment, and it has become harder for providers to get deals over the line. Consequently, finding budget is no easy feat, with many companies placing an ever-greater emphasis on cost efficiencies and the retention of customers.
Following, as it does, news of Vantiva's acquisition of CommScope Home Networks, it is apparent that the move towards an era of consolidation and establishing partnerships is well underway. The lesson is always that those who move early will be better positioned to integrate and execute further down the line.
BT strengthens its global presence For BT, the alliance makes perfect sense. It allows the company to focus on its core strengths and cater to the UK market. Over the last few years, BT's Media and Broadcast unit has overhauled and transformed its operations, which has led to the emergence of Vena, an intelligent IP-native media platform providing the flexibility of cloud-like services with the reliability of a dedicated broadcast network. The company is successfully migrating existing and new customers onto this platform, with some significant names, including ITV, Freeview, Racecourse Media Group using the service.
Paolo Pescatore This strong endorsement validates the unit's decision to focus on the UK market. However, seeking to grow internationally and replicate its UK success has not been as straightforward.
While the Vena platform is undeniably best in class, as underlined by strong support from its UK customers, there are wider challenges to consider when it comes to expanding the service to other countries. In each market, you need to consider that there are typically high barriers to entry, different operating structures, different regulations, and different configurations of networks. The rise in IP workflows and distribution that allow for the transport of broadcast signals over the Internet (and precisely what the success of Vena embodies) has also led to the introduction of new, agile competitors.
Considering all of this and the significant investment needed to grow internationally as well as maintaining and developing a global media network fit for the future, a decision to form an alliance is logical. Furthermore, it fits nicely into the new strategic focus for BT's Business division, which is where the Media and Broadcast unit sits. During a recent analyst session, BT Business CEO, Bas Burger, outlined the new strategy and vision for the operation with a customer-led approach. What is the best approach for better outcomes for our customers? it asks before concluding that partnering is the best route forward if a solution is not to be developed in-house.
The tie-up with TBS is the first real example of executing this new business strategy. BT has freed up much-needed resources to cater for the UK market. It also indicates the company's seriousness in partnering with other organisations worldwide to meet its objectives and goals.
Fuelling TBS's expansion For TBS it is a win-win scenario too. The company gains access to BT's best-in-class offerings to bundle and sell with its own capabilities on the global stage (especially in the area of sports broadcasting and live events). It is clear that the tie-up is all about TBS further expanding into an increasingly global footprint, which has been a strategic priority for the company for a few years now. Indeed, TBS believes the deal will increase its global footprint by 50 per cent and expand its customer base to more than 170 broadcast and media organisations worldwide.
Arguably, and in the wider industry context as mentioned earlier, the tie-up with BT has come at the right time in light of many companies struggling to get deals over the line. It has been harder for some providers to do it all: increase revenue, maintain existing customers, and, in turn, close deals. Hence, the growing importance of scale to better compete on the global stage. The hope is that the two companies working together can offer enough incentives to get those deals over the line while maintaining the existing business.
A good example is the current footprint of customers they both serve respectively. TBS is currently active in Australia, Europe, and North America and is keen to expand into Asia Pacific, where BT Media and Broadcast already has a significant presence. The latter represents a key target region for both entities and includes the dynamic markets of India, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
In support of this goal, according to the press release, TBS will add more personnel to the local team i
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
04/06/2026
Sony Electronics is introducing the SRG-AS10, a 4K 60p-compatible PTZ auto-frami...
04/06/2026
This recent grad from Spring, TX, led creative-video output for the Aggies' men's basketball team last season and has been producing video and creating ...
04/06/2026
For the first time at a women's golf major, every player in the field will r...
04/06/2026
Three Panasonic PT-RQ45 40,000-lumen 3-Chip DLP projectors made their first live...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin and Akamai have announced a collaboration with NRJ Group, a French mult...
04/06/2026
Telestream will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N7952), demonstrating media work...
04/06/2026
Sony has announced the development of RIALTO 65, a 65mm format image sensor block for the VENICE 2 digital cinema camera, targeting release in the first half of...
04/06/2026
KOKUSAI DENKI Electric America will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N8025, June ...
04/06/2026
Bell Media's TSN and RDS are the exclusive Canadian broadcasters of FIFA Wor...
04/06/2026
The Challenge: Receiving Heavy Media Files From Road Games Quickly and ReliablyT...
04/06/2026
MASV, a managed file transfer platform used in broadcast and live sports product...
04/06/2026
NESN has announced the appointment of Fahad Haider as Vice President of Operations and Engineering. Haider returns to NESN, where he previously served as Vice P...
04/06/2026
David J. Halberstam, who spent almost 50 years in sports as a broadcaster and an executive, died June 2 after a years-long battle with brain cancer.
Over his l...
04/06/2026
Although collegiate production programs are tasked with delivering high-quality ...
04/06/2026
California studio, two production trucks, global distribution system are combine...
04/06/2026
New global program empowers and supports storytellers through scriptwriting course and access to industry experts
TikTok and Sundance Institute today announce...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming infrastructure, and Akamai, the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business onli...
04/06/2026
American Underground (AU), the Startup Hub of the South and a community of mor...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
NVIDIA and Microsoft Reinvent Windows PCs for the Age of Personal AI
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
RTX Spark - a 1-Petaflop Superchip, the Full...
04/06/2026
Inside the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Grade
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Simone Grattarola discusses shaping the look in DaVinci Resolve...
04/06/2026
Cine Gear Expo Announces 2026 Awards of Excellence Recipients
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Ed Lachman ASC, Caleb Deschanel ASC, and M. David M...
04/06/2026
St. Vincents Live with Orchestra Tour to Feature Berklee Alum Ruby Plume Berklee alumni St. Vincent and Ruby Plume will appear on the same bill across seven d...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
All the Truth in My Lies Coming to Netflix on August 28
Entertainment
04 June 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the imag...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Larry Tanz, VP of Content, EMEA, Delivers a Keynote Speech at ...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Turn Your Living Room into a Stadium With the New FIFA World ...
04/06/2026
Keeping conversations real on LinkedIn Published on Jun 4, 2026 Categories: Product News
LinkedIn Corporate Communications
Share
LinkedIn
Facebook ...
04/06/2026
BackStory follows four Irish young people as they travel back to their parents' homelands
Modern Irish identity is enriched by cultures and influences from...
04/06/2026
June's forecast with GeForce NOW: 100% chance of gaming.
GeForce NOW is lining up new adventures for the month, from big-name blockbusters to quirky indies...
03/06/2026
SES and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, have launched multi-orbit satellite inflight connectivity on Viva's Airbus aircraft. A total of 60 A320s ...
03/06/2026
The College Football Playoff, ESPN, and TNT Sports have announced kick times and...
03/06/2026
RED Digital Cinema will exhibit at Cine Gear Expo 2026 (Booth 33, June 5-6, Universal Studios Lot), hosting three panels and hands-on product demonstrations.
P...
03/06/2026
Roku has announced the Soccer Zone, a dedicated hub for FIFA World Cup 2026 content available across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argent...
Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, media analyst Paolo Pescatore takes a look at the partnership between BT and Telstra Broadcast Services, and explains why companies leveraging each other's expertise and assets can help them meet customers ever-changing needs
