Leman Bleu innovates in local TV news production with smartphones and LiveU

Swiss station Leman Bleu has deployed a range of LiveU technology, as well as multiple iPhone 6Ss, to bring a new way of producing its coverage. Leman Bleu is a local TV station based in Geneva. It began broadcasting 20 years ago, but the last 18 have seen a major change in the way it operates. 2015 saw the broadcaster adopt iPhone 6S technology, used by its reporters for capture. Initially turning to LiveU shortly after the launch of the company’s LU500 backpack, the broadcaster has expanded its LiveU use to include the ultra-small LU200 unit as well as the LU-Smart mobile app and SmartGRIP device.

The SmartGRIP holds a rechargeable battery allowing broadcasters to broadcast live from a smartphone without the limitations of a short-lived cellphone battery. The SmartGRIP also includes a 3G/4G MiFi channel (or any other mobile hotspot), which is bonded together with the smartphone’s internal 3G/4G connection to combine two cellular connections. The broadcaster is also using LiveU Central, LiveU’s unified management platform for easy preview and remote control.

Leman Bleu concentrates on news, specialising in politics and sport. Journalists focus on Geneva and the surrounding area. Laurent Keller, CEO and Editor in Chief, said, “LiveU has already been revolutionary for our TV station and we are only at the beginning of what we can do.

“This technology allows us to do things we previously couldn’t, making our news coverage much more vibrant and also cost-effective. Our aim was to push as far along the path of lightness – therefore mobility – and speed of deployment as possible.

“It allows us to be fast and to move very quickly. We are progressively rolling out this technology. We only started the iPhone experience this summer so it is an ongoing deployment. It’s the same logic with iPhones as it is with LiveU. We want to go as far as we can.”