As part of efforts to reduce operational costs, Germany’s ProSiebenSat.a has expanded its LiveU workflow with the addition of LiveU Mobile Data and the LiveU Matrix cloud distribution platform.
The deployment runs across three ProSiebenSat.1 TV channels and its digital streaming platform, Joyn, along with the “.newstime” format, distributed across the channels from the company’s Munich headquarters.
ProSiebenSat.1 receives feeds from multiple LiveU units, including LU800 multi-cam units, positioned across Germany, plus hundreds of feeds from its network of production companies and freelancers, said the comapny.
Additional units are permanently placed in Washington DC and Tel Aviv for international coverage. Transmission parameters are controlled and optimised in Munich via the LiveU Central management platform, enabling operators in the field to focus on capturing content.
Christoph Heise, head of production factual at Seven.One Entertainment Group GmbH (ProSiebenSat.1’s entertainment division) commented, “From elections to sports competitions and cultural events, LiveU gives us the flexibility to cover news stories in every part of the world right when they happen. Not only can we remote control all LiveU field units from our Munich premises, but we can also receive the camera feeds instantly and start processing them the very moment they are shot. As we expand our LiveU deployment, we’re able to increase our production pace and output significantly.”
Live feeds from other stations are shared via the cloud-based LiveU Matrix distribution platform and ProSiebenSat.1 has formed a Matrix news pool including all major German broadcasters. Feeds are exchanged via the platform, replacing traditional, fibre-based distribution, said the company.
Klaus Geiger, business architect at ProSiebenSat.1 tech and services said, “Eliminating the need for an SNG truck, LiveU allows us to reduce logistics work and production costs – while maintaining the high-quality that viewers expect from us. As we continue to innovate the news domain, we’re currently exploring new cloud-centric production approaches together with LiveU.”
