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FGC Celebrates Dual Recognition at the “BroadcastPro ME 2025” Awards Ceremony
FGC Celebrates Dual Recognition at the “BroadcastPro ME 2025” Awards Ceremony
First Gulf Company is honored to announce that our Systems Integration Division has been recognized with two of the highest distinctions at the 15th ASBU BroadcastPro ME Summit & Awards 2025 in Dubai: “Systems Integrator of the Year” and “CTO of the Year” – awarded to our Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Orlando Castro. These awards represent the highest level of recognition in the regional broadcast industry, celebrating organizations and individuals whose innovation, strategy, and technical excellence are reshaping the future of media across the MENA region.
For FGC, these achievements reaffirm our long-standing position as a market leader in mission-critical systems integration, trusted by broadcasters and media organizations to deliver complex projects with precision, scalability, and engineering mastery.
Setting New Benchmarks in Broadcast Transformation
FGC’s award for Systems Integrator of the Year reflects the transformative projects successfully delivered over the past year—projects that demanded not only technical innovation but also uncompromising reliability and operational continuity.
A standout achievement was the end-to-end relocation and upgrade of Al Hadath’s broadcast operations from Dubai to a new, fully automated, state-of-the-art facility in Riyadh. FGC deployed a comprehensive turnkey solution featuring robotic rail camera systems in the main studio and Ross Cambot pedestals in the Social Gallery Studio. Remarkably, this entire transition was completed without a single second of disruption to Al Hadath’s 24/7 live news output. The future-ready infrastructure now positions the network for next-generation technologies such as augmented reality and virtual sets—fully aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Equally significant was FGC’s execution of the Kingdom’s first IP ST 2110-based broadcast project for the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA). By shifting the national broadcaster from aging SDI infrastructure to a scalable IP architecture, FGC delivered a bold, future-proof transformation of SBA’s Main Control Room. The hybrid SDI–IP gateway approach ensured seamless business continuity, while the new IP ST 2110 setup delivered 4K capability, enhanced efficiency, and a major reduction in rack space—all setting a national benchmark for next-generation broadcasting.
Honoring Leadership: Mr. Orlando Castro, CTO of the Year
FGC proudly celebrates Mr. Orlando Castro, the first Chief Technology Officer to receive the CTO of the Year Award for his visionary leadership and over two decades of service to the company. Reflecting on the recognition, Mr. Orlando shared:
“This recognition reflects not just individual effort, but the passion, teamwork, and relentless drive of everyone who’s been part of this journey. It’s a shared achievement — and a reminder that great things happen when technology and vision come together.” — Mr. Orlando Castro, CTO
Mr. Orlando has been central in shaping FGC’s Systems Integration Division and leading the region’s most critical technology transitions, including Saudi Arabia’s first ST 2110 IP migration and the implementation of the world’s largest control room supporting up to 180 cameras in Makkah. He added:
“For our Systems Integration Division, this award validates the countless hours of collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation that go into delivering seamless solutions for our clients, and motivates us to keep setting new benchmarks in quality and technological advancement.”
Adding to this perspective, Mr. Joe Chbat, VP of the Systems Integration Division, emphasized the impact of Mr. Orlando’s recognition:
“Orlando’s recognition as CTO of the Year reflects the depth of technical leadership within FGC. It reinforces our clients’ confidence in our capability to design unique solutions, deliver projects in record times, and support complex systems at the highest industry standards.” — Mr. Joe Chbat, VP – Systems Integration Division
A Testament to the Trust of Our Clients and Partners
These recognitions reflect not only FGC’s technical capabilities, but—most importantly—the trust that our clients and partners place in us to deliver high-stakes, mission-critical systems. Every project we execute is driven by a commitment to engineering excellence, innovation, and long-term value creation for the organizations we serve. As Mr. Orlando explains:
“Our long-standing client relationships thrive because we view every engagement as a collaboration grounded in trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to mutual growth and innovation.”
Mr. Joe also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people and partners behind the division’s success:
“Our achievements are the result of disciplined teamwork, strong partnerships with vendors and manufacturers, and the trust our clients place in us. We extend our sincere appreciation to every engineer working with us, every partner we have, and each and every client who contributed to this success.”
He further highlighted the core reasons clients continue to rely on FGC:
“Clients depend on FGC for reliability, technical expertise, and our ability to execute mission-critical projects with consistency and integrity. Our long-standing track record in Saudi Arabia and the region continues to be our strongest asset.”
As we look ahead, FGC remains dedicated to advancing broadcast technology in the region and continuing to set new standards of quality, reliability, and leadership. These awards reaffirm our purpose, strengthen our resolve, and celebrate the people and partnerships that make our success possible.
