Swedish Radio (SR) has a vision to ‘meet listeners where the listeners are, and broadcast from where the action is’. Achieving this goal using IP-technology, however, requires the broadcaster to undertake a complete modernisation of its infrastructure.
SR issued an EU tender for the mutual development for a pilot installation, which was won by German manufacturer Lawo – noted for its future-orientated approach and innovative IP technologies. The pilot project comprises the regional studio of Uddevalla and the nearby Gothenburg Hub, the latter to serve as control centre for Uddevalla and later for other regional studios around Gothenburg. All companies participating in the pilot installation – SR, Lawo, L-S-B – have been involved in all aspects of the project.
Following the modernisation, all SR regional studios will be able to act independently from the central broadcast operation with access from everywhere in the region using IP technology. The self-operators will produce their own radio material using ‘instant’ newsgathering and broadcast via regional antennas. Reporters will be located around the region, conducting interviews, directly reporting on events and newsworthy incidents. There will be no master control room for the regional studios – SR correspondents will use their tools, and in special cases even own mobile phones, to go on-air directly from their location, sending input to a studio or directly to the antenna via the relevant regional Hub.
Lawo Regional Director Jarle Felin reports that, while specifying the contract content with a ‘floating’ technology description was a difficult task, that many of SR’s ideas for the future match technologies that are already part of Lawo’s portfolio and roadmap.
‘I am very pleased with both the procurement process and the outcome of it, and I am looking forward to cooperate with a company that shares Swedish Radio’s vision of how radio will be made in the future,’ says Lars Hedh, Head of R&D at SR.
More: www.lawo.com
More: www.l-s-b.de
