Czech TV Implements Landmark LiveU OB Project In Central Europe
10 OB vans upgraded with LiveU's rackmount encoders for high-quality and cost-effective on-site and remote productions.
Czech Television, the national public broadcaster, has deployed one of the largest LiveU live production projects in the region for live sports and news coverage, using LiveU’s on-site production solution.
The project, designed and implemented with LiveU's partner Smart Informatics, equips 10 Outside Broadcast (OB) vans with LiveU’s bonded IP technology, enabling Czech TV to achieve flexible, cost-effective, and future-proof live production workflows.
Until now, Czech TV relied heavily on satellite and landlines to power its OB fleet. This project introduces LiveU's LU810 fixed encoders and servers into the vans, ensuring reliable bi-directional IP connectivity for live contribution and return feeds. The deployment is unique in Europe because of its inter-van interconnectivity at scale, allowing OB vans not only to connect to central facilities but also to interchange live feeds with each other across different locations. With the OB vans serving as mobile studios, multiple channels can be sent instantly to the master control room (MCR), and signals sent back as a video return. The setup is used for both the production of lower tier sports games and news stories around bigger international events.
“This project represents a major step forward for Czech Television, underscoring our commitment to innovation. Leveraging LiveU’s IP contribution technology, we can modernize our fleet – no longer bound by the limitations of costly satellite and not available landlines. We can provide live coverage for any sport, at every level – whether it’s football, ice hockey, or a triathlon, our OB vans can now connect anywhere, instantly, and exchange feeds between each other and with our master control room in Prague." said Antonin Svach, Head of OB department, Czech TV.
"LiveU has been a trusted global newsgathering partner for years with their portable field units; this deployment shows the confidence we have in the reliability of their solutions for live sports as well", Svach continued.
“Moving slowly away from a satellite and landlines-only models was essential for us. This new hybrid setup, delivered with Smart Informatics, makes our OB fleet future ready. With bonded IP connectivity at the heart of our workflow, we can adapt to any production requirement, from small competitions to national broadcasts", Svach added.
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