Following the demise of the Barcud Derwen Group last month, NEP UK has purchased the assets of its well-regarded Omni TV outside broadcast operation and used them to create NEP Cymru OB Ltd.
Steve Jenkins, Executive Director, NEP UK, said: “After the regrettable demise of the Barcud Derwen Group, NEP pursued the opportunity to put back into Wales a well supported OB and studio facilities provider. The encouragement we received from key clients, staff and broadcasters for such a venture was amazing, and inspired us to work day and night to pull this deal off.”
NEP Cymru OB will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of NEP (UK) Investments Ltd and as a sister company to NEP Visions Ltd and Roll To Record Ltd. The new operation will be headed up by Tony Cahalane, who held the same position for Omni, and will employ 15 staff based out of the Cardiff office.
Cahalane commented: “It is vitally important for us to remain as a facilities company that can continue to provide our key clients with the boutique service they are accustomed to. I am delighted that we are now part of one of the biggest international OB operations that can offer the support to allow us to do this. NEP UK have been exemplary in their attitude at this difficult time, and realised the advantages of a supporting the skill base we have in Wales from the very start of negotiations.”
NEP Cymru OB primarily offers clients the use of HD1, a superior OB truck with HD/3G and full 5.1 Bluefin capability. The double expanding scanner will be based in Cardiff and engineered by local crews who are familiar with the clients and the truck. The experienced team has been responsible for live facilities at most of Wales’ national events in recent years and has also provided landmark coverage for many of the UK’s biggest broadcasters.
In addition to OBs, NEP Cymru OB will offer a 7,500 sq.ft studio with HD and SD capabilities, plus make-up rooms, production office and audience capacity of up to 300, together with an additional 400sq.ft studio. The Cardiff studio set-up adds even more regional diversity to NEP UK, since Roll To Record also provides facilities in the Bristol area.
