SBS Korea uses 5G live streaming for polling station election coverage

SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) turned to LiveU’s integrated 5G technology for its live election day coverage in South Korea last week, utilising the advantages of KT’s (Korea Telecom’s) premium live broadcasting solution with its 5G network.

SBS deployed LiveU’s 5G-integrated high-end LU600 HEVC units in the most congested areas, representing the first broadcaster to leverage KT’s 5G-Premium QoS solution. Live streaming provided by the MNG (mobile newsgathering) units reached the highest performance levels. SBS was able to secure the new network path, guaranteeing fast and reliable connection without any interruptions. In other congested areas, SBS used LiveU’s compact LU300 HEVC units together with the LiveU Xtender integrated antenna solution to maximize the network capture, ensuring high-quality streams.

LiveU’s devices were used to cover the polling stations, major candidates’ offices and reactions to the election results under the strict safe distancing measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All the live feeds were streamed to a single server and completely synched, operating as part of a cost-effective, remote at-home production model.

The success of SBS’s broadcast-quality coverage helped to drive a higher viewership rate and ratings.