A&E Television Networks (AETN) has partnered with Ascent Media to manage its digital assets.

The two companies’ strategic relationship calls for Ascent to provide AETN with a centrally-managed digital repository for its media assets while also laying a foundation for the distribution of assets to multiple new media platforms and worldwide distribution. The file-based system provides playout capabilities for existing SD and HD linear channels, and enables the full library of A&E’s content to be efficiently digitized, catalogued, and managed.

“As we explore the vast array of options now available for distribution of our media, we needed alternatives to ‘silo’ approaches to content management,” said Bill Harris, senior vice president, production and broadcast operations for AETN.  “Through our partnership with Ascent Media, we have access to a new, cutting-edge facility that ensures service quality for our SD channels, supports rapid launch of HD services, and will allow us to optimize our digitized content across multiple distribution platforms in domestic and international markets.”