To achieve the intended audience-first, behind-the-scenes dynamic of the show, ITV Studios required a solution that provided seamless integration of remote guests. With this central vision in mind, the production team turned to QuickLink StudioEdge to transform the way remote contributions were managed. “StudioEdge was a game-changer for our operations,” says Roy Heath-Callow, [previously] Technical Director at ITV Studios.

Before deploying StudioEdge for the latest series, the ITV production team faced significant challenges using traditional approaches to incorporate remote guests. “For many years we had to rely on the contributor going to a studio and being on a satellite two-way, which was resource-intensive, costly and offered limited flexibility,” explains Heath-Callow. “In recent years, alternative platforms have been tried and tested, but they often tied contributors to specific software or systems, complicating workflows and reducing adaptability in live broadcast environments.”

As the first multi-platform remote guest solution, StudioEdge enabled the seamless integration of guests through Zoom, Microsoft Teams and QuickLink StudioCall with a single, easy-to-use solution. This flexibility enabled the production team to accommodate remote contributors’ platform preferences while simplifying the technical setup. “Through a web-based user portal on a separate Control PC, the production team could easily select the preferred platform and have a remote guest connected in minutes,” says Heath-Callow.

Additionally, from the web-based management interface, the remote guest video and audio can be enhanced using AI-powered technology from NVIDIA. “This ensured pristine clarity for Zoom, Microsoft Teams and StudioCall callers, even when network conditions were less than optimal,” adds Heath-Callow.

The introduction of QuickLink StudioEdge delivered a transformative impact on the production of “I’m a Celebrity: Unpacked.” By eliminating the reliance on single-platform solutions and satellite-based systems, StudioEdge offered unprecedented flexibility for managing remote contributions.