EMG/Gravity Media has revealed it worked with UEFA, UK broadcaster ITV, Netherlands’ broadcaster NOS and Australia’s Optus Sport during Euro 2024.
For UEFA, the company delivered the Technical Operations Centres (TOCs) and FANTV solution at each of the ten venues across Germany.
EMG/Gravity Media also provided four OB trucks and RF equipment (host Steadicam and handheld RF camera coverage) for the ten matches held at the Cologne Stadium and Düsseldorf Arena.
Elsewhere, the company delivered live helicopter 1080p HDR aerial coverage for all matches, via its specialist RF and camera divisions, EMG Connectivity and ACS. The six helicopters, all fitted with the latest UHD HDR stabilised camera gimbals, were regionally sourced keeping flying time to a minimum and followed EMG/Gravity Media’s carbon offsetting initiative for helicopter filming on the flying hours required to deliver the tournament’s coverage plan, said the company.
For ITV, the workflow for the 1080p50 production was designed around a ‘reverse remote’ production model, with a remote gallery and mini MCR set up in Berlin along with a studio and commentary positions.
The two presentation areas were fitted out with nine cameras between them, while a vision mixer, director, PA, producer, autocue op, and a small tech and lighting team were on site. Most of the kit underpinning the set up, including EVS replay, sound, and graphics, was all based back in London, with the locations linked together by low latency 10Gb diverse paths. This enabled ITV to reduce its on-site headcount from 300-400 down to just 90.
Meanwhile, the EMG/Gravity Media team followed the Dutch football team for the public broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) coverage, with a crew of 15 working across an OB truck carrying six cameras, three for the studio and three for the analysis shots.
Speaking about the company’s work throughout the tournament, Eamonn Curtin, interim chief commercial officer at EMG/Gravity Media said: “Following a successful EUROs, we are proud to announce that this event ranks among the largest live broadcasts we have managed since the merger of our two companies. Together, we have created innovative and sustainable workflows to support UEFA and partners like ITV and Optus, ensuring the best possible Euros experience for their audiences.”
