UFC Taps Levels Beyond For Library Management

Levels Beyond, a provider of video library management and workflow software, has announced that Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, will manage its entire worldwide video production workflow using Levels Beyond’s Reach Engine software platform. A key element of this transition will be the digital migration of UFC’s entire 19-year content library, consisting of more than 30,000 hours of content, for improved content archiving, access and production around live MMA bouts.

“Levels Beyond demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the production and distribution challenges we face in delivering the sport of MMA to multiple distribution points in the U.S. and in 130+ foreign territories,” said Christy King, director of new media and technology for Zuffa, LLC, owner of the UFC® brand. “Their Reach Engine software platform delivers the flexibility, speed and overall performance required of both our demanding production crews and hugely varied technical requirements of worldwide distribution outlets.”

In addition to a global pay-per-view TV platform, UFC has a new home on Fox Sports Media Group, which includes Fox, Fox Deportes, FX, Fuel TV, Speed and all of Fox’s regional sports networks. This partnership will require original programming output of 350 hours this year, up from the 90 hours aired in 2011.

“During the course of two years, we looked at several media workflow configuration product ideas on the market,” King added. “Ultimately we found deep experiential understanding and dedication from the development team at Levels Beyond. Their Reach Engine is thoughtfully designed to handle rapid-fire technology changes in today’s production and distribution environments.

“By working closely with Levels Beyond to fully develop their software, we have realized our vision of efficiently delivering the most entertaining mixed martial arts programming to virtually any viewing platform, anywhere in the world, firmly establishing UFC as the premier MMA sports destination and a leader in sports TV production technology,” King added.