Ascent, Chicago Switch Launch Fiber Link

Ascent Media, the provider of outsourced origination and technical services to the media and entertainment industries, and The Chicago Switch, a video switching facility in Chicago, have started a service that increases distribution and reception capabilities for broadcasters and corporate video users.

The service is based on a new high-capacity, bi-directional fiber link between the Switch and Ascent Media’s Minneapolis uplink facility. The link provides users of The Chicago Switch with the single-source ability to distribute video anywhere in the world using Ascent Media’s existing network facilities, as well as a competitively priced alternative to existing uplink facilities.

Ascent Media says that it already has commenced services via the new link with major network programmers and local affiliates as customers. “Creators and distributors of video in our market have consistently used our switching capabilities to achieve their local communication needs,” said Steve Robinson, managing partner, The Chicago Switch.

“By providing a direct link to Ascent Media’s uplink facilities and global network, we now can enable existing and future customers to have high-quality, highly reliable access to and from almost anywhere in the world.”

The Chicago Switch is located on the 97th floor of Chicago’s John Hancock Center.