IN THE REF’S EAR Riedel’s
ROC centralises communications technology, approaching client challenges innovatively
“Budget sensitivity was a large driver. It doesn’t matter how big or small the production, the budgets are getting smaller – you have to be really efficient. If we reduce the need for sending large groups of people all over the world to events – plus the costs of travel, accommodation and food – we save a lot of cost for our clients.” Now covering its third season of German football, the ROC monitors between 130 and 160 game days a year, requiring six to eight operational
the crews to be as accessible as the commentating voices in the studio. Any production on water is a challenge. This was no different, but the team wanted the outcome to be special, not just adequate. A custom system for the on-board microphones was devised, able to resist wind and – the arch-enemy of technology – salt water. A transmission system at the top of the mast relayed comms and data across a choppy ocean, notoriously unfriendly to RF transmissions. “One of the biggest challenges sometimes you have waves – and you’re always quite close to them. A lot of expertise went into it from our partner Pidso, specialists in antenna systems.” On top of that, the broadcast took place in a world still largely locked down. Thanks to geography and good leadership, New Zealand was virtually free of Covid-19, but global travel and sheltering restrictions meant this still had to be a remote production, with activity monitored from Riedel’s ROC. The result was a success – and welcome respite for viewers around the world, starved of quality live sport. “At Riedel, we understand the whole event, together with our clients. We have a different view to a lot of people. It’s not just a technical and strategic analysis. When I’m visiting an event, I know where the gaps are. We understand the whole topology.” was having this lot of signals, in different bandwidths and frequencies, transmitting on water. Water surfaces always change, too. Sometimes they’re flat,
WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO OUR CLIENTS ON THE GROUND, ANDWE CAN FEELWHAT ISMISSING
staff members – an amazingly efficient operation, given that they are overseeing two major leagues spanning 40 stadiums. “We’ve become more flexible and more sustainable – it’s all about the CO2 footprint now. This clever approach is better for the environment.” RIDING THE WAVES Riedel also helped bring sports fans the America’s Cup, held in New Zealand earlier this year. Riedel took care of the communications, video transfer and telemetry data from the boats, including on-board intercoms. Each boat was rigged with 12 cameras, including 360 and PTZs. The boat comms featured a fully integrated Riedel Bolero system, allowing the conversations held between
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