Newsletter from 18/05/2018
Live TV Reigns as King Supreme
Despite the rise and rise of subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) and over-the-top (OTT) services, traditional TV still rules the roost in the US, commanding 91% of consumers' total video time among the P2+ audience, says the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB).
In its State of Video, Multiscreen Insights report the analyst also found that TV’s dominance was clear across all ethnicities and among both young and old. Moreover, even though computer and smartphone video consumption was not surprisingly high among teens and young adults, TV still accounted for nearly four-fifths of video minutes and the majority of their viewing is with live television content. This latter trend was not lost on those charged with monetising consumption.
Indeed, when looking at the average monthly usage by device for the US P2+ audience in 2015, 285 million viewers spent 147 hours and 47 minutes watching TV. This compared with 127 million watching video on a computer (for 13:35 hours) and 139 million watching video on a smartphone (2:12). This gave the latter two content consumption forms a share of total video time of just 8% and 1% respectively compared with the 91% for traditional TV.
As one would expect, computer and smartphone video consumption was high among teens and young adults, yet even among this demographic TV still accounted for the vast majority of viewing. The VAB survey showed that among the T12-17 age group, 87% of viewing time was spent with traditional TV while this was 78% for the younger millennials and rising back to 84% for the P25-34 category.
Live TV programming comprised the majority of consumers’ TV viewing even among the younger audiences. The survey revealed that the P2+ P18-24 group watched on average live TV for 28:04 hours but video playback for just 3:24. In the 18-24 group this was spilt 15:11/3:24 and for older millennials 15:11/1:36.
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MOBILE PRODUCTION
Rio Event Services by Dejero and BPS
Dejero is offering event services in Rio de Janeiro during the August 5-21 games. 24/7 comprehensive technical support gives broadcasters peace of mind, allowing them to focus on creating the best visual content using simple and reliable technology wherever they need to go, and counting on Dejero to get the content back at a fraction of the cost of traditional and less flexible technologies. “What gives the coverage its character are the interviews, the reviews and the color pieces surrounding the Games. together with BPS we give our customers the ability to go out and shoot what they want, where they want it, with the full knowledge that our technical experts are available on location to support their needs from the moment they arrive for set up, through to the closing ceremonies and wrap-up reports,” said Brian Cram, CEO of Dejero.
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SAM technology chosen for EUROMEDIA’s fleet of hybrid 4K OB vans
EUROMEDIA turned to SAM for its new OB vans due to the flexibility and reliability of its products, as well as the level of post-sales and technical support provided. Consistency across all of its operations was also a consideration in the decision to invest in SAM technology: EUROMEDIA wanted to ensure that its operators could switch seamlessly between OB vans to ensure maximum efficiency. The broadcast services provider has invested in SAM’s market-leading Kahuna 9600 production switcher for its multi-format capabilities. Enabled by SAM’s unique FormatFusion3 technology, Kahuna supports any combination of SD, HD, 1080p (level A & B) and 4K environments. Kahuna also allows EUROMEDIA to avoid the need to use valuable space within the OB van for external conversion equipment.
STUDIO PRODUCTION
London Live (LL)
LL is owned by the parent of The Independent and The Evening Standard newspapers and broadcasts from the same headquarters at Northcliffe House in Kensington. The existing environment was already producing local stories and digital content on a daily basis, so the challenge was to turn that content into moving images. LL were awarded the London Local Digital Television Programme Service License from Ofcom based on producing a quota of local news and current affairs content, supplemented by entertainment content focussed on London. Headed by Technical Director, Bryn Balcombe, the LL team saw an opportunity to challenge traditional assumptions of the look and format of TV news and current affairs programmes.
Sony 4K Cameras a Key Component of Sneaky Big Studios
Arizona has long been a production mecca, and soon it will be home to Sneaky Big Studios, what is intended to be one of the finest production facilities. Chosen for image acquisition are Sony’s F55 4K cameras. From inception, Sneaky Big Studios has been intent on raising Scottsdale, Arizona's profile in the production world to make it a first-pick in this highly competitive industry. They provided DigitalGlue, the noted media design and integration firm the opportunity to create the blue print including today’s top technology which also allows integration with future advances. Starting with a blank page, the result is a ground-up, groundbreaking design spanning over 15,000 square feet that is scheduled to open in July.
Trickbox TV Elected to Provide Studio Space for Mayoral Candidate Interviews
Mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan from Labour and Zac Goldsmith from the Conservatives have been in the spotlight, eager to campaign for each of their parties in the lead up to the election. Trickbox TV was able to provide studio facilities for interviews with both this week alongside the three other main candidates, Green party’s Sian Berry, Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon and UKIP’s Peter Whittle in Tower Bridge TV Studios, overlooking the iconic London backdrop and City Hall. In two broadcasts from the studio, Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith were interviewed live on air for the 6:30pm and 10:30pm nightly news. Trickbox TV also provided facilities for a full days pre-recorded interview of these main five mayoral candidates, which formed a series of short election special broadcasts, which have been going out every night this week.
SPORT EVENTS
Riedel Supports HardMoves International Bouldering SuperFinal Competition
As the six strongest teams of the HardMoves Fight Club met at Wuppertal's magnificent Historische Schwimmoper indoor swimming center to compete in the international bouldering series' SuperFinal, Riedel Communications supplied the real-time media network and intercom system that supported live links to other venues, as well as live streaming. During the event on March 5 in Riedel Communications' hometown, the company provided a MediorNet fiber network, Artist digital matrix intercom system, Performer digital partyline intercom system, and STX-200 professional Skype® interface, as well as a variety of control panels, beltpacks, and radios, to enable flexible, reliable signal transport and communications.
Valencia Club de Fútbol Drives Stadium AV With Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design has announced that Valencia Club de Fútbol (CF) is providing fans an enhanced match day experience following an overhaul of the Mestalla Stadium’s live production capabilities using Blackmagic Design video production hardware. The Spanish La Liga side was looking for a scalable system that would allow it to supply different feeds to five big screens and stack graphics over a live background video. Based on these requirements, and after an assessment of the options, IDCromvideo developed a flexible and powerful solution built around Blackmagic devices, according to Julio Tárrega who is responsible for audiovisual at the Mestalla Stadium, home to Valencia CF.
2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship gears up for worldwide delivery
More than 20 cameras per game: Managed and co-ordinated by Infront’s production team, over 20 cameras around the ice rink – including two super-slow-motion-cameras, in-goal and overhead centre-circle cameras – will ensure the full host broadcast operation. The HDTV signal will be produced by one HD OB van in each arena and distributed worldwide to all broadcasters via fibre and satellite. In addition, Infront will be providing support for broadcasters in their unilateral production, as well as with transmission and commentary facilities together with the provision of live statistics and additional services.
SHOW EVENTS
Robe BMFLs Say Hello on Adele Tour
The extensive tour, which is garnering huge critical acclaim, follows the release of Adele’s record-smashing third studio album, 25, in November 2015 which has established her as one of the most successful recording artists of all time. Lighting operator / director on the road is Roland Greil, and the equipment for the UK and European legs of the tour is being supplied by west London based rental specialist, Neg Earth, while Upstaging will deliver the rig in the US. Nearly 100 Robe BMFL Spots are on tour with multi-award winning chart-topping singer / songwriter Adele’s current ‘Adele Live 2016’ world tour, in a stylish and dramatic lighting concept developed by Patrick Woodroffe working with associate lighting designer Adam Basset from design practice Woodroffe Bassett Design (WBD).
Okulus adds a little Ayrton Magic to Halsey’s travels in Europe
American singer and songwriter Halsey kicked off the European section of her Badlands tour at Glasgow’s O2 Academy earlier this year. Creative Directors of production design company Okulus, Louis Oliver and James Scott, turned to Ayrton once again when creating an adaptable lighting design which could be modified to suit all of the venues in the European tour dates. The designers chose the clean lines and angular appearance of Ayrton MagicBlade™-R and MagicPanel™-R fixtures to illuminate Halsey’s performance at Brixton Academy in February which formed a key part of a flexible system that could be easily adapted for the whole European leg of the tour.
Elation ACL 360 Matrix™ Effects for Heart on “Queens of Sheba” Tour
Forty years after their first hits climbed the charts, American rock band Heart teamed up with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts for a “Queens of Sheba” 2016 tour through Canada that saw the Wilson sisters performing their rock staple hits beneath an automated rig that included effects from Elation Professional’s new ACL 360 Matrix™ LED moving panels. Dale Doucette, who has been a freelance lighting and set designer for 35 years, working with a wide range of acts from Kitaro to New Kids on the Block, also served as lighting designer/director for the Wilson sisters for eleven years prior to becoming production manager just over a year ago.
PRODUCTS
IHSE USA and Lawo Unite Their KVM and VSM Control Systems
IHSE USA LLC announced a partnership with Lawo whereby IHSE's Draco tera matrix switch frames support Lawo's Virtual Studio Manager (VSM) broadcast control and monitoring system. A number of high-profile broadcast companies such as NEP Australia, YLE Finland, Danish Radio Denmark, and key broadcast and cable companies in the U.S. are already using Lawo's VSM control environment to manage KVM switching via the IHSE products in their editing suites, master control suites, and mobile production studios. Lawo's VSM Control System Manages IHSE KVM Switching in Applications Such as Editing, Master Control, and Mobile Production.
Vision Mixers Show at BT Sport Studios
The show brings together ALL SEVEN of the main Vision Mixing Manufacturers Sony, S.A.M., Ross, Grass Valley, EVS/DYVI, along with Blackmagic Design and NewTek each showing their latest High Definition and 4K Vision Mixing Desks in one room. The concept is very simple, you have the people who operate and engineer Vision Mixing desks in Studios and Outside Broadcast facilities (many of whom are freelance) coming together to meet the mixer specialists with a view to gaining more knowledge about the desks. Since most Broadcast Professionals are freelance, training and information on the latest mixer software updates don't always filter down to the end-user.
DNF Controls Celebrates a Milestone Anniversary
DNF Controls, is celebrating a milestone anniversary. The award-winning and acknowledged leader in Human-to-Machine and Machine-to-Machine interfaces is looking back on over 25 years developing control solutions, but more important, looking forward to helping customers navigate today’s rapidly evolving technology environment with a view to the future. From humble beginnings in a California apartment, today DNF Controls’ gear is found in every domestic network, both terrestrial and cable, international networks, as well as in Government agencies, the Military, Houses of Worship, Sports, Education, Corporate and Pro AV projects. Founder and chief technology officer, Dan Fogel, calls them their “Go To Solutions”.
4K / 8K ARISING
Cinegy says OK to 8K
Many television stations worldwide have yet to make the transition to HD, let alone 4K. In fact, many new facilities are being built in SD only, so is it really that difficult, or even necessary, to rush to ever-higher resolutions? Cinegy CTO and Co-founder Jan Weigner says no, and yes, respectively. “Whether you get on the SD, HD, 4K, or even 8K train, they’ve all left the station,” says Weigner. “Although some are on cruise control plying well-known routes, others are accelerating toward destinations that could until recently only be theorized. The common denominator is that they are all moving. You just need to decide when, where, and how to get on board.”
UEFA to undertake virtual reality camera tests at Champions League
UEFA has selected the UEFA Champions League semi-finals between Manchester City and Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich for the first European demonstration of the newly launched Nokia OZO 360 virtual reality camera in a sporting environment. OZO was recently showcased at the April National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas, and Nokia describe it as the world’s first professional 3D 360 virtual reality camera. Bernard Ross, head of UEFA TV Production, said: “These OZO demonstrations continue to put UEFA TV Production at the forefront of broadcast technological innovation. It’s UEFA’s goal that one day the watching fan, wherever they may be in the world, will be able to watch a match through immersive virtual reality and experience the game as if they are there in the stadium. This demonstration represents the first step towards completing that goal.”