Gearhouse Broadcast to build tech centres in SA

Tue, 25 May 2010

UK’s Gearhouse Broadcast will build 10 technical operation centres in South Africa in accordance with the specifications of Host Broadcasting Services (HBS) to aggregate multiple host feeds from the stadiums hosting the 2010 World Cup.

The feeds include the broadcast and clean international feeds, two team feeds, two player cams plus a tactical camera and 150 various other camera feeds.

The TOCs will distribute the feeds for local customisation of commentary and graphics by rights holders with their own on-site outside broadcast facilities, before routing the audio and video signals onto the international broadcast centre in Johannesburg. Further customization, such as insertion of post-match interviews and studio content, can be inserted at the international broadcasting centre before distribution.

In addition to this core contract, Gearhouse is also providing location services such as the build and systems integration of studios and facilities at the international broadcast centre to individual rights-holding broadcasters including ESPN America, Univision, ESPN Brazil, Argentina’s TYC Sports and Telefe. It is also operating a three-camera OB truck for ITV’s pitch-side presentation of all England matches.

Gearhouse is supplying these clients with a range of Panasonic P2 cameras and decks for ENG. Additional XDCAM and HDCAM cameras and decks are also provided to keep the options flexible. The company will have more than 70 people on the ground putting in 2650 man hours in the weeks leading up to the event. Once all the equipment is shipped to the country, they will have about 16 days to build and test before kickoff.

“We’ve got a six-person team just handling logistics,” said Kevin Moorhouse, chief operating officer at Gearhouse Broadcast. “We have a massive warehouse in Johannesburg from which all equipment and materials will be prepared and distributed and a small satellite workshop for our engineers. Whereas in Germany (2006 World Cup) we could get new equipment if we needed it overnight, in South Africa, we have got to be more prepared. If I needed another VTR, I would have to fly it in, so our planning has got to be so much better.”

He added, “We have well-rehearsed emergency plans to follow if a vision mixer or a router fails. Since broadcasters have paid considerable sums for the rights, we have high penalties clauses for failure. Going black on-air is not an option.”

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