Netherlands leads way in cloud-based broadcast

Production facilities firm NEP Netherlands (formerly DutchView Infostrada) claimed the first live broadcast using cloud technology at the end of last year, when RTL programmes Carlo’s TV Café and Voetbal Inside were broadcast using the Cloud Production setup.

Since then, public broadcaster BNN-VARA has started using the platform for its Spuiten & Slikken, Kassa, Per Seconde Wijzer and 2 voor 12 programmes while NTR is airing Sesamstraat on the platform. RTL has also shifted its Europa League football and darts coverage to NEP’s Cloud Production.

Cloud Production centralises resources so that they can be shared across productions with the aim of eliminating the need for dedicated studio suites, OB trucks and production teams for each individual production.

Production operations are centralised at NEP’s data centres at the Media Park in Hilversum, fed by IP-streamed media over its own dedicated dark fibre network from the studio and centralised galleries.

“We only use the resources that are strictly necessary for the duration of the recording,” said RTL Netherlands Productions business manager Mark de Vink.

“Because of the centralised resources we need significantly fewer crew members on location, which also greatly reduces travel and accommodation costs.”

Part of the Cloud Production platform is based on Snell Advance Media’s (Sam) Sirius 800 routers and Kahuna switchers. Grass Valley’s IP camera offering was also used, including the company’s LDX 86 WorldCam cameras and XCU HD/4K XF IP base stations.

NEP the Netherlands chief technology officer Peter Bruggink added: “While many media companies and broadcasters are working on remote production and video over IP, we have made a leap to a cloud platform on which resources are available on demand.

“The foundation of Cloud Production has been proven and is based on years of experience, including our forerunners LiveCenter, and our cloud video editing platform since 2006.

“All of these rely on our own technical infrastructure including our data centers and a 100 percent uptime dark fiber fiberglass network. The entire infrastructure is monitored and supported by a 24/7 expert service operation center. This results in a very stable base for our new Cloud Production technology. I am extremely proud of this world first.”