SportTech UK 2013: reflections on 4K, skills, spectrum…and more

The 2013 edition of SVG Europe’s SportTech UK conference event took place on 24 April and featured lively panel sessions on 4K, second screen and the state of UK sports production, along with illuminating presentations from Sennheiser UK’s Alan March, Riedel’s Thomas Riedel and IMG Media’s David Shield.

If you missed out on the Stamford Bridge event – or simply wish to relive the highlights – SVG Europe will be bringing you in-depth reports on the day’s individual sessions.

John Dollin (BSkyB), Mark Grinyer (Sony Professional Europe) and Duncan Humphreys (CAN Communicate) gathered to discuss the future of 4K. Read SVG’s full report here.

Second screen is here – but how best to monetise it creatively and financially? David Gibbs (Sky Sports), Petro Mnych (Arsenal Broadband), John Nemeth (Elemental Technologies) and Sam Usher (RedHanded TV) offered their opinions in a panel documented at length here.

With some broadcast professionals expressing their fears of a mid- to long-term skills crisis, efforts are being stepped up to support technical training programmes in the UK. SVG Europe is involved in several such schemes, and gathered together some leading voices – Simon Broad (BBC Academy), Andrew Cooper (MediaCity UK Salford), Michael O’Sullivan (Ravensbourne College) and Bruce Devlin (AmberFin) – to discuss current initiatives. Read a full report here.

Loss of spectrum continues to affect broadcasting and live production professionals, and with further auctions a possibility users of wireless systems need to keep a close watch on emerging government and regulator plans. Alan March, Sennheiser UK business development specialist, offered an extensive update documented here.

Reports on the other SportTech UK sessions will appear on SVG Europe shortly. [Image credit: Chelsea Football Club]