More than 100 Genelec loudspeakers supplied for BT Sport studios

HHB Communications Ltd provided Megahertz Broadcast Systems and Timeline Television with professional audio equipment – including more than 100 Genelec loudspeakers – for the video editing and audio dubbing areas in the recently launched BT Sport studios operated by the UK’s newest sports broadcaster.

Located in part of the International Broadcasting Centre constructed for the London 2012 Olympic Games, the new BT Sport channels launched on 1 August, broadcasting from state-of-the-art studios a line-up of live sport from Britain, Europe and worldwide alongside a suite of news, debate and information shows featuring a stellar line-up of personalities. The facility broadcasts BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN, and includes three large studios with full production galleries, plus four smaller galleries for turnaround programmes, and 20 edit suites.

HHB supplied a combination of Genelec 8020, 8030, 8040 loudspeakers, plus subwoofers and mounting accessories for stereo and 5.1 monitoring in the video editing and audio dubbing areas. This is in addition to a combination of Neumann TLM193 microphones and Rycote Invision suspensions for voice-over booths, and Coles 4104 lip microphones for commentary positions.

Broadcast systems integrator Megahertz was appointed to complete the technical fit-out of the BT Sport production facilities by Timeline Television. Megahertz chose a variety of Genelec speakers for the video editing and audio dubbing areas because of their uncoloured and undistorted sound and accurate translation of audio for TV broadcast.

Steve Burgess, technical director at Megahertz, comments: “Genelec is a brand that has become an industry standard in broadcast audio for good reason, and we are confident that they are the best choice for the BT Sport. We had a very tight turnaround time for this project and HHB was extremely diligent in meeting our demands and very knowledgeable and helpful in providing the volume of equipment that we needed in time for the early August deadline.”

HHB manager, broadcast and SI sales Nikki Pascoe explains: “We worked very closely with Megahertz on this project to make sure that the equipment we supplied was the best possible choice for each room and application. A tight deadline leaves little room for error and we had no problem supplying the service and quantities they needed to satisfy both Timeline and BT Sport’s requirements. We are very proud to be part of this project.”