The advent of the use of standalone 5G networks in television production heralds a transformative era for broadcasting. This evolution has been likened to its use in both the coronation of King Carlos III and the innovative live production of Big Brother Brazil, embodying a shift towards a more accessible and dynamic production approach. The integration of 5G technology not only highlights a technological leap, but also furthers the democratization of the broadcast industry, paving the way for a future that is not bound by the constraints of traditional broadcasting methodologies.
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“This is not a proof of concept – it’s ready and it’s in primetime,” said Malcolm Brew, senior knowledge exchange fellow at the University of Strathclyde and principal technology consultant at Strathclyde spin-out company Neutral Wireless, asserting that 5G is ready for operation in mainstream broadcast. From enhancing live sport to making broadcast more accessible, Brew’s enthusiasm for 5G’s capabilities speaks to the major changes underway in the industry.
5G production reaches maturity
The rapid evolution of 5G technology from early experimental stages to playing a key role in several productions marks a major transformation in the industry. Initially, 5G’s foray into production began with a demonstration using just five cameras at IBC 2022. This humble beginning soon expanded to a pivotal role in “Operation Unicorn” filming Queen Elizabeth II’s final departure from Scotland. Not only did the event test 5G’s capabilities, it also potentially set a record for viewership, with iconic images of the Queen’s plane being broadcast to billions of viewers around the world.
Reflecting on this rapid progress, Brew highlights the incredibly rapid development of 5G production capabilities. “We’ve gone from using one or two cameras to deploying 60 cameras at major events,” he says, highlighting the dramatic change in the broadcast industry. 5G has gone from a proof of concept to potentially becoming an essential tool in covering major events. This shift demonstrates 5G’s robust ability to meet diverse broadcast demands, offering scalability and efficiency never before possible.
Case Study: The Coronation of the King and Big Brother
As stated in IBC2023’s Technology Paper of the Year, the coronation of Charles III was a pivotal moment for the broadcast industry, marking the practical application of 5G Standalone Non-Public Networks (S-NPN) at a live, large-scale event. The event highlighted the advancements of 5G technology, demonstrating its ability to deliver high-quality, reliable live broadcasts in even the most demanding scenarios.
BBC News determined that they needed to provide continuous mobile coverage for part of the procession route between Admiralty Arch and Buckingham Palace. To ensure continuous, uninterrupted coverage along the route, the BBC adopted a 5G S-NPN network dedicated to the event, leveraging new spectrum licensed from Ofcom in the 3.8-4.2 GHz range. The network allowed for seamless integration of the latest IP workflows, significantly improving the efficiency and quality of the broadcast.
Speaking about the Coronation, Brew said, “Our adoption of 5G technology for the Coronation wasn’t just to showcase our innovation, but to ensure we could share this historic moment with the world without compromise.” This approach reduced reliance on traditional broadcast setups, allowing for unprecedented levels of flexibility and efficiency.
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The 5G network’s success at the Coronation demonstrated its ability to support large-scale live broadcasts, with more than 60 devices accessing the network, delivering more than 54.4GB of uplink video data. “The Coronation event highlighted the unparalleled scalability and adaptability of 5G, poised to revolutionize live event broadcasting,” Brew added.
The application of 5G in Big Brother Brasil, as presented in another technical paper at IBC2023, further demonstrates this approach. Big Brother Brasil has been broadcast on Globo TV for nearly 20 years. The show uses more than 50 cameras to ensure continuous and comprehensive coverage. Traditional setups required a complex infrastructure of cabling, resulting in high operational costs. 5G presented the opportunity to revolutionize this setup by introducing mobility, reducing physical installations and enabling remote production capabilities.
The use of 5G was essential for Big Brother Brazil to transmit high-quality, low-latency video 24 hours a day throughout the 100-day show. The implementation of network slicing within the 5G infrastructure was crucial, ensuring reliability and quality of service by dedicating specific network resources to the reality show studio. This approach preserved network resources and guaranteed secure data transmission, which was essential for the continuous operation of the reality show.
The success of the project depended on the deployment of a dedicated 5G S-NPN, which facilitated remote camera control and significantly reduced reliance on video cables. Equipped with the SRT protocol and HEVC codec, the two cameras transmitted at 40Mbps each, achieving 80Mbps upload bandwidth with a glass-to-glass latency of just six frames. This high video quality and low latency allowed for seamless integration of 5G-connected cameras with traditional wired cameras, setting a new standard in efficiency and quality for live production.
Democratization of the Broadcasting Industry
Perhaps the most significant impact of 5G is its democratizing effect on the broadcast industry. By removing the high barriers to entry traditionally associated with live outside broadcasting, 5G networks pave the way for smaller production companies and independent creators to share their content on a global scale. Belew asserts, “5G technology democratizes live outside broadcasting, making it accessible to smaller production companies and individuals.”
Brew highlights how 5G networks are revolutionizing coverage of low-budget events, offering production capabilities that previously seemed unfeasible for smaller sports and activities. He highlights the accessibility and efficiency 5G brings to broadcasting, saying, “When you put an iPhone 15 Pro in someone’s hands, they have a good understanding of how to use it.” This democratization of broadcast technology allows for “bottom-up” coverage, making it possible to capture events that traditionally would not be broadcasted. “You can’t just go to a soccer field and cover that game,” he says. “Economically, it’s too big, it’s too carbon intensive, it takes too long to prepare. With 5G and high-quality consumer cameras, you can literally pop out and get almost the same production value.” This approach further lowers the barrier of entry for covering lesser-known sports and events, highlighting 5G’s ability to “reach people who thought they would never be able to do live outdoor broadcasts.”
This vision of 5G-enabled broadcasting will democratize media production and provide a platform for previously overlooked events and sports, enriching the diversity of content available to viewers.
Hybrid approach
Brew emphasizes the pivotal role 5G will play in accelerating the transition to IP-based video production while integrating with the established standards of traditional SDI workflows. “5G is a complement to traditional broadcast, not a replacement,” he says. “It brings flexibility and efficiencies that haven’t been possible before.” This transition means a shift to more adaptable and efficient production methods, enabled by the seamless connectivity and high-bandwidth capabilities of 5G networks.
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The concept of leveraging hybrid networks – combining the best of both private and public networks – is emerging as an attractive solution for enhancing broadcast capabilities. Brew offers a forward-looking perspective, stating, “Using private and public networks for broadcast highlights the benefits of a hybrid approach: 5G enables wireless UHD, full two-way camera control, enhanced production and reduced costs.” This innovative approach promises not only to improve production quality, but also to make high-end broadcast more economically feasible.
Envisioning a 5G-enabled future
The integration of 5G technology into the broadcast sector marks a pivotal turning point, promising a future where broadcasting will be more inclusive, dynamic and immersive. Coverage of important events such as the coronation of King Carlos III and the production of Big Brother Brazil have demonstrated the transformative potential of 5G, offering unparalleled flexibility, efficiency and quality in wireless production. “Looking forward, 5G will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of broadcasting, making it more accessible and engaging for both producers and viewers,” concludes Brew.
While there was initially widespread skepticism about 5G’s applicability to broadcast, Brew acknowledges that the industry has made a journey from doubt to acceptance: “There were naysayers, but as we demonstrate 5G capabilities in a live production environment, their opinions are changing.” This changing perception underscores growing confidence in the tangible benefits of 5G and its role within the broadcast ecosystem.
Brew further explores the creative freedom that 5G will unlock, stating, “5G will open up new possibilities for storytelling, making it possible to film and broadcast from angles and places never before thought possible.” This freedom to innovate in content creation will push the boundaries of traditional broadcasting and lay the foundation for more dynamic and immersive viewing experiences.
Brew further predicts a future where the levelling influence of 5G will blur the technological divide between large and small productions: “Technology will level the playing field, allowing smaller teams to produce content at a quality and scale that was once the preserve of the largest broadcasters.” This egalitarian perspective heralds the arrival of a more inclusive broadcast environment, enriched by diverse voices and stories.
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