Encompass Digital Media launched Altitude Playout Plus, running on Grass Valley AMPP, supporting a service platform so far adopted at Channel 4 and one other major UK broadcaster
Encompass Digital Media and Grass Valley have launched Altitude Playout Plus, a software-defined channel origination platform of services developed for broadcasters managing live, late-changing and complex programming.
Encompass Digital Media develops and supplies managed media services for broadcasters, networks, sports leagues, federations and OTT platforms worldwide, handling channel origination, content processing, live event distribution and delivery.
The new service combines two of Encompass’s existing managed services, Altitude Media Cloud and Altitude Flow, with Grass Valley’s AMPP virtualised live production platform and Playout X, centralised playout software running on AMPP for linear and live media distribution. The resulting service works as an integrated workflow from media supply chain operations through to channel origination and transmission.
Altitude Playout Plus Development
Channel 4 in the UK has selected Altitude Playout Plus to support its channel portfolio under a new multi-year managed playout agreement, with services scheduled to launch in 2027. Earlier on in 2026, Channel 4 partnered with Encompass to deliver managed linear playout services across Channel 4 itself as well as E4, More4, Film4, E4 Extra and 4seven. This deployment combines channel origination with an integrated content supply chain and disaster recovery services.
Like AMPP, Encompass’s Altitude platforms take a software-defined, remote-first architectural approach, which gives Channel 4 technical and operational flexibility to rapidly and reliably navigate playout and distribution demands as viewing and service expectations change.
After Altitude Playout Plus was successfully launched in August 2026, Channel 4 became the second major UK public broadcaster to select it. It has been developed for channels where schedules and content can change close to and during transmission, such as live sports, news and entertainment. Alongside playout, the architecture supports live contribution, event management, recording and fast-turnaround workflows, giving Encompass the flexibility to adapt quickly as schedules and content update.
Combined Components – with Options
Grass Valley’s AMPP serves as the production and playout foundation, a software-defined system using Playout X to support channel origination. Supporting both traditional and emerging distribution models, Playout X integrates directly into OTT and FAST workflows. Able to support live inputs, multiple output formats and features like audio description, multilingual captions and graphics overlays, Playout X aligns with numerous business models.
Broadcasters can manage multiple outputs and regionalised channels from a single HTML5-based user interface, GV.UI, which operators can customise and use to configure control layouts that suit their specific workflows. Through GV.UI, users can create multi-monitor dashboards with real-time monitoring, event management and schedule manipulation, and access them securely from a browser.
The fact that Playout X is built on and for AMPP’s flexible deployment and centralised orchestration allows it to scale easily as well. Users can adapt playout configurations based on the distribution needs of each channel, whether for compressed IP streams, SDI or uncompressed IP formats.
Encompass integrates these capabilities with Altitude Flow media supply chain and control platform, while its Playout Director, a web-based service, brings together the data the operators need to manage live programming and late changes.
Complex Live Channels
The result is a distributed architecture that can be deployed across cloud and on-premises infrastructure and operated from multiple Encompass locations. For public broadcasters in the UK, services will be delivered from Encompass facilities in London and Riga, setting up geographic diversity while giving teams flexibility over where resources are deployed.
“Altitude Playout Plus has been designed handle the realities of running complex live channels, where schedules can change quickly and operators need immediate access to the services and information required to respond,” said Keir Shepherd, Chief Solutions Officer, Encompass Digital Media.
“Our work with Grass Valley gives us a software-defined foundation that we can combine with our media supply chain, operational tools and global managed service capability. Channel 4’s decision to adopt the platform, alongside another major UK public broadcaster, now gives us a strong foundation for extending the service to other demanding channel environments.”
The architecture also gives Encompass access to further AMPP applications when specialist capabilities are required. Resources can be introduced according to the requirements of a channel or event rather than maintained permanently for workflows that may only be used periodically.
Dynamic Media Facility (DMF) Approach
For Grass Valley, the deployment demonstrates how its Dynamic Media Facility (DMF) approach supports established broadcast services across hybrid, geographically distributed infrastructure. AMPP applications can operate alongside existing systems and Encompass technology without requiring the service provider or its customers to standardise operations around a single deployment location.
“Major broadcasters are looking for greater flexibility without compromising the resilience and operational control required for live television,” said Steve Hassan, Senior Director Playout at Grass Valley. “Working with Encompass shows how a Dynamic Media Facility can bring software-defined playout and existing broadcast operations into the same architecture.
“Resources can be deployed across cloud and on-premises infrastructure and across different locations, giving service providers the flexibility to respond to changing channel and event requirements while maintaining the operational standards their customers expect.”
Extensive design work between Encompass and Grass Valley has now been completed ahead of the Channel 4 transition to ensure the Altitude Playout Plus platform meets the broadcaster’s technical and operational requirements.
Grass Valley will be at IBC 2026 at the RAI Amsterdam, 11-14 September where visitors can meet their team to learn more about AMPP, Playout X and the Dynamic Media Facility. www.grassvalley.com
