Cookies Policy

Last updated: 23 September 2026

What cookies and similar technologies are

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow the site to remember actions and preferences over time. Similar technologies include web beacons, pixels and local storage objects. These files can store or access information such as browser type, device identifiers, IP address segments, pages visited and timestamps. They do not contain personal data in isolation but can contribute to identifying patterns when combined with other information.

Why the site uses them

primestepza operates a platform for professional media feeds, live signal management and content distribution. Cookies support reliable delivery of high-quality video services to broadcasters and news organisations. Without them, essential functions such as session continuity during live broadcasts and preference storage for camera operators would fail. The site also uses them to measure performance of content distribution networks and to comply with regulatory obligations under UK law.

Categories of cookies we deploy

We classify cookies into five main groups. Strictly necessary cookies enable core site functions including user authentication for live feed access and security against unauthorised signal interception. Functional cookies remember choices such as video quality settings or preferred camera views. Analytics or performance cookies gather aggregated usage data to improve signal management reliability. Advertising or targeting cookies may be used by third parties to deliver relevant promotions for broadcasting equipment. Social-media cookies allow limited integration with professional networks for sharing feed metadata.

First-party versus third-party cookies

First-party cookies are set directly by primestepza and relate to our own domain. They handle login sessions for video operators and store basic preferences. Third-party cookies originate from external providers such as content delivery networks or analytics services. These may track activity across multiple sites to optimise live signal routing or to support advertising campaigns for television production tools. Both types are listed in the table below where applicable.

Session versus persistent cookies

Session cookies exist only while your browser is open and are deleted when you close it. They maintain active connections during live broadcasts. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a defined period or until manually removed. Retention periods vary: strictly necessary cookies typically last for the duration of a broadcast session while analytics cookies may persist for up to 24 months to allow long-term performance analysis of content distribution.

Data handled and purpose of each category

Strictly necessary cookies process minimal identifiers required to authenticate users accessing camera feeds and to prevent service disruption. Functional cookies store settings such as language or bitrate preferences. Analytics cookies collect page views, load times and error rates to diagnose issues in live signal management. Advertising cookies record interactions with promotional banners for equipment suppliers. All data processing follows the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, limiting use to stated purposes.

Legal basis under UK rules

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR, strictly necessary cookies operate without consent because they are essential for the service you requested. All other categories require prior consent. primestepza obtains this consent through a site-wide banner that allows granular acceptance or rejection. You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal. Where legitimate interests apply, such as fraud prevention in signal distribution, we balance those interests against your rights.

Cookie provider table

Name: session_auth – Provider: primestepza – Category: strictly necessary – Duration: session
Name: pref_quality – Provider: primestepza – Category: functional – Duration: 12 months
Name: analytics_perf – Provider: third-party analytics service – Category: analytics – Duration: 24 months
Name: target_ad – Provider: advertising network – Category: advertising – Duration: 13 months

How the consent manager works

The cookie banner appears on first visit and again after any policy update. You can accept all, reject non-essential cookies or customise choices by category. Changes take effect immediately and are stored in a first-party cookie for 12 months. To alter preferences later, revisit the banner via the footer link on any page. Withdrawal does not delete existing cookies; you must also clear them through browser settings if desired.

Browser-level controls and consequences

Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through settings menus. Disabling strictly necessary cookies will prevent access to live feed management tools. Blocking analytics cookies reduces our ability to improve service quality but does not stop core functionality. Persistent cookies may be removed manually. Note that some browser features such as Do Not Track signals are not universally honoured by all providers listed in our table.

International transfers

Certain third-party providers may transfer cookie-derived data outside the United Kingdom. Where this occurs we rely on UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office. Full details of safeguards appear in our separate Privacy Policy, which you should read alongside this document.

Policy changes and contact

We review this policy regularly and update it when service features or legal requirements change. The current version is always available on this page. If you have questions about our use of cookies please contact us using the details on the Contacts page or email [email protected]. You may also write to 5 Longwalk Road, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, UB11 1FE, United Kingdom or telephone +44 20 3314 5000.