KNR Greenland in new facility build-out

Danmon Systems Group has completed a major project for Greenland’s state television and radio broadcaster, Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) in Nuuk. This involved moving the entire existing facility into new premises.

“The central element of this project was the relocation of all KNR’s existing radio and television broadcast studios, post production and playout infrastructure to two new buildings,” said Danmon Systems Group Project Director Peter Thomsen. “It was essential that the move, rewiring and post-installation tests be performed without interrupting the normal daily schedule of live broadcasts.

“In close partnership with KNR, we were able to agree a work schedule which ensured that the network was able to maintain full-time on-air status. This required precise organisation. A closely monitored build schedule was achieved over nine weeks in two phases.

“Phase one of the project embraced the relocation of the radio studios, including three Studer On-Air 3000 desks, and installation of a new Ross digital audio router for transmission. This was completed on time and on schedule.

“Phase Two centred on moving the existing television facility, with a five-camera studio, video and audio production control rooms, continuity playout master control room, plus the entire equipment room with 16 racks. All were moved to a newly refurbished building. The new television building was wired for audio, video and control area cables.

“All external cables in the equipment room were then removed and the remaining 1,000-plus inter-rack cables were retained and later reconnected. System test and commissioning were completed on time and under budget and the new facility was officially fully on-air in May.”

In 2012-13 it was decided that KNR should be relocated due to an accumulation of unhealthy mould and fungus in the structure of the building which was originally built for the Air Greenland heliport.

KNR TV broadcasts about 300 hours of programmes in the Greenlandic language (Kalaallisut) and about 2,000 hours of Danish content per year. KNR Radio broadcasts about 5,400 hours of material each year, divided into 2,500 hours in Greenlandic, 900 in Danish and 2,200 hours of music.

KNR’s news departments in Nuuk, North Greenland, South Greenland and Copenhagen deliver news to the whole of Greenland in both Greenlandic and Danish. Domestic production in both the cultural and youth departments of Radio and TV is mostly in Greenlandic. Domestic production of radio and TV is financed partly by income from television advertisements.

KNR TV also transmits daily television news from Danmarks Radio. Broadcasts from Danmarks Radio can be heard on another channel in Greenland. About 120 people are employed at KNR.