Sony equipment enables Sky to build 4K HDR studio of the future

Sony equipment enables Sky to build 4K HDR studio of the future

Sky chooses Sony to deliver innovation and quality in its new sports broadcast hub in Unterföhring

It’s a project of superlatives, with several millions invested in building Sky Sports’ new Headquarters and broadcast hub, just next to the head office in Unterföhring. The 4600 square metre ground hosts two new studios, as well as an additional space for the Sky Bundesliga simulcast. The new broadcast complex is equipped with a broad range of advanced Sony 4K HDR ready technologies, demonstrating what a “studio of the future” looks like; seven HDC-4300 cameras, one HDC-P43 POV-camera,  one XVS-7000 mixer and over 140 Sony OLED and LCD screens, ranging from BVM-X300 and LMD-A240 to PVM-A170, PVM-A250 and PVM-X550.

Sky Sports Headquarters will broadcast the biggest sports events
Starting in summer 2017, all relevant Sky live sports content will be broadcast in the Sky Sports Headquarters, including the UEFA Champions League, EHF Handball Champions League, Golf, Tennis, Formula 1 and Sky Sport News. The site comprises two studios (600 and 250 square metres), and an additional space for the Sky Bundesliga simulcast. The opening of the new Headquarters brings with it approximately 90 new jobs, as Sky works with Sony to continue to create unique viewer experiences.

 

Sky chooses Sony to deliver innovation and quality in its new sports broadcast hub in Unterföhring

“By deploying Sony’s technology, we’ve been able to future-proof our site, and develop a vibrant, diverse and dynamic studio. With Sky Sport HQ we have realised our vision of sport production of the future: high-quality, state-of-the-art, smart and innovative. With the scalable MediorNet system design, we are perfectly equipped for IP-based workflows and 4K productions, while achieving maximum integration in a new dimension of flexibility,” saysAlessandro Reitano, Vice President, Sports Production at Sky Deutschland. “With MediorNet, we enjoy the advantage of a real-time network’s enormous routing capacities, which makes classic video routers redundant. Plus, we are pleased about MediorNet’s further key advantages: a virtual multiviewer, signal transport and signal processing – all in one system.”

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Meeting customers’ needs: Complete, innovative solutions and local service
To attract the audience with premium sport programs, Sky’s priority is to not only offer innovative program content, but also bring technology which meets market demand for both today and tomorrow. “We need high quality technology which is ready for the future, and solutions which are 4K HDR ready. By deploying Sony’s technology, we’ve been able to future-proof our site, and develop a vibrant, diverse and dynamic studio” says Alessandro Reitano, Vice President Sports Production at Sky.

Sky chooses Sony to deliver innovation and quality in its new sports broadcast hub in Unterföhring

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The local support was an additional benefit for Sky. Sony’s local team is on hand to respond to any issues quickly and ensure operations run smoothly. “We need more than variable solutions and technology. Quality and flexible services are important to us as well, and that is another reason why we’ve chosen Sony as our partner for our new Sky Sports Headquarters,” adds Reitano.

Sky chooses Sony to deliver innovation and quality in its new sports broadcast hub in Unterföhring

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Equipped with Sony products
To meet the market’s growing appetite for 4K, Sky needed HD capable cameras with HDR and superb 4K capability to enable the switch to UHD resolution in the near future. This, alongside Sony’s continuous commitment to enhancing its products through software updates and firmware, was Sky’s main motivator for choosing Sony. The Sky Sports Headquarters now features seven HDC-4300 system cameras, an HDC-P43 POV camera, an XVS 7000 mixer and almost the entire line-up of Sony OLED and LCD monitors, ranging from BVM-X300 and LMD-A240 to PVM-A170, PVM-A250 and PVM-X550.

“At Sony Professional, we are more than a technology provider. While we offer high quality and innovative technology, we pride ourselves on being a trusted business partner. We’re pleased to bring our expertise in the field of sports broadcasting to Sky, and our knowledge across the discipline means we can keep a competitive advantage over other manufacturers,” says Michael Bauer, Key Account Manager Media Solutions at Sony.

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