Advancing the Creation, Production and Distribution
of Sports Content

Outside Broadcasting

Bullseye! New Gravity Media OB unit makes World Matchplay debut

Gravity Media has added a scalable production vehicle to its UK fleet of outside broadcast (OB) trucks.

Making its debut at the 2026 World Matchplay in Blackpool as part of Sky Sports’ live Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) coverage, MT501 is the first outside broadcast vehicle in the UK to feature Gravity Media’s new branding.  

The vehicle has also been named in memory of former colleague Mark Thomas, recognising his significant contribution to the business and the UK broadcast industry. 

Developed in close collaboration with clients, MT501 has been designed to provide the flexibility needed for modern live production, delivering a multi-functional workspace, the company said.

Its adaptable layout enables broadcasters to configure the vehicle for a wide range of workflows, supporting everything from major sporting events to live entertainment productions as operational requirements continue to evolve. 

Designed and integrated by Gravity Media’s in-house Systems Integration team, it features 14 operational positions, including edit facilities, a large EVS area and a two-row production gallery.  

It can be used to expand and enhance productions; producing audio or video sub-cuts, house edit suites and digital content teams, hothead and EVS operators, allowing the option to separate engineering and operational areas to improve workflow efficiency. The truck can also be reconfigured to provide production office space, reducing the need for temporary site facilities and extensive cabling on location. 

Angela Gibbons, UK sales director, said: “Launching MT501 is a significant milestone for Gravity Media, particularly as it becomes the first vehicle to carry our new branding. The truck reflects our collaborative approach to working with clients, listening to their evolving production requirements and delivering flexible solutions that support the way they work today while preparing for the future; whether that’s creating space for facilitating training, adapting workflows for different events or providing production spaces that can be configured for multiple uses, MT501 has been designed to evolve alongside our clients.” 

“We’ve enjoyed a long and successful partnership supporting Sky Sports’ darts coverage, so it’s especially fitting that MT501 begins its journey at the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool, and we’re equally proud that the truck honours the memory of our colleague Mark Thomas, whose contribution to the business continues to be recognised through this vehicle.” 

One of Gravity Media MT501’s standout features is its fully connected second production control room, which is currently being used by Sky Sports for edits and space for facilitating a training environment during its darts coverage. Running alongside live production, the space provides next-generation talent with a fully-operational, real-time simulation space, enabling them to learn, develop and gain confidence within an authentic broadcast workflow. 

Sharing

Related Articles

If you enjoyed this...

You could get sports broadcasting & production articles like this sent directly to your email inbox.

Simply sign up for one of our 'Insider' newsletters:

IMPORTANT: Once subscribed, PLEASE ADD our email address [email protected] to your safe sender list to ensure safe delivery of newsletters

Already have a login? Log in here to manage your newsletter preferences.