Fleet up for grabs as SIS Live exits OB market

The company had previously held the majority of BBC Sport contracts after acquiring the broadcaster’s OB division in 2008, but last month BBC Sport announced that SIS had not been successful during the last round of OB tenders.

More than 200 staff, many of them former BBC employees, will face redundancy when the department shuts down in March.

In preparation for the closure, SIS is looking to find buyers for its extensive fleet of OB trucks, including 14 HD and four SD production units.

SIS chief executive Gary Smith described the OB sector as a “commodity marketplace where price is the dominant factor”.

He said: “Our difficulty in reaching terms with BBC Sport over the renewal of its sports contracts offered a vivid reflection of the problem. We have always sought to be competitive in our pricing, but we have never been prepared to sacrifice quality just to deliver a cheaper service.”

He added: “In view of the pricing pressure for long-term contracts for customers such as the BBC, we have come to the conclusion that the outside broadcast market, as it is today, no longer offers an arena in which it makes sense for us to continue to operate.”

SIS Live’s equipment and links and teleport divisions will not be affected by the closure.

“This decision will allow us to focus with renewed confidence and determination on the other parts of our business, where our commitment to excellence continues to be reflected in strong market demand and a high level of customer satisfaction,” added Smith.