Russia’s National Sports Channel utilises TVU Networks technology during Rio coverage

TVU Networks has announced that Russia’s National Sports Channel, Match TV relied on its video transmission technology for extensive coverage of the Summer Games. The station had seven ENG crews in Rio using TVU equipment.

The National Sports Channel produces sports broadcasts for Russia’s federal television channel within the country and abroad. The station first started using TVU Networks equipment in 2013, when it began relying on the TVUPack TM8100 mobile uplink solution. Leading up to the Rio Olympics, Match TV purchased three new TVU One mobile newsgathering solutions. The video transmission packs were used to shoot live stand-up videos and interviews throughout the Games in stadiums, press mixed zones, and scenic environments around Rio, including beaches and high viewpoints.

“The biggest benefit we find in using TVU Networks technology is the mobility that it allows,” said Kirill Kolomyts, head producer of international broadcast, Match TV. “With the ability to do live transmissions from almost anywhere at any given time, we have unlimited possibilities. In general, we’ve found ourselves relying on TVU equipment more and more. In fact, Match TV’s news department has been using TVU technology on a daily basis for live broadcasts.”

Having been the national representative of the XXII Winter Olympic Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014, Match TV is familiar with the complexities and challenges that can come with covering world-class sporting events. The station sent a production team of 130 people to Rio to get the job done, and TVU Networks equipment provided Match TV with reliable video transmission technology that didn’t let them down during the Games. It also removed the need for costly SNG equipment.

“Our TVU technology made our jobs easier in Rio,” Kolomyts explained. “We are very happy with the reliability and performance of our TVU mobile newsgathering packs during the Summer Games.”

Already in use by hundreds of leading broadcast organizations around the world, the TVU Networks family of IP transmission solutions gives broadcasters and organizations a powerful and reliable tool to distribute live video content to broadcast, online and mobile platforms. The TVU Networks suite of solutions has been used to deliver professional-quality live HD footage of a number of important events around the world including the World Cup, both Summer and Winter Olympic Games, U.S. presidential elections, natural disasters, the 2013 Papal conclave, the Super Bowl, the 2015 Papal visit to the United States and several international sporting events.