Encompass Digital Media and Grass Valley have launched Altitude Playout Plus, a software-defined channel-origination service for broadcasters running live and frequently changing schedules. The service combines Encompass Media Cloud, Altitude Flow and operational support with Grass Valley AMPP and Playout X.
Channel 4 has selected the platform under a multi-year managed playout agreement, with service due to begin in 2027. Encompass says a second major UK public broadcaster has already launched on the same foundation. Operations can be distributed across cloud and on-premises systems and across Encompass sites in London and Riga.
Why it matters
The deployment is a substantive test of software-defined playout in public-service broadcasting, where late schedule changes, live events and continuity requirements leave little tolerance for operational gaps. The architecture also links media-supply-chain work, live contribution, recording and transmission rather than treating playout as an isolated application.
The announcement describes the selected architecture and customer timetable, not measured availability, latency or recovery performance. Those service-level results will become clearer as Channel 4 moves through design, migration and launch.
