BBC and TVU Networks revolutionised the UK election coverage ingesting 369 live feeds into a cloud production workflow.
The BBC, in partnership with TVU Networks, has enhanced the 2024 UK General Election coverage using a cutting-edge remote production approach. Leveraging TVU’s advanced cloud platform, the BBC managed 369 live feeds from vote-counting locations across the UK via the TVU Anywhere mobile app. These feeds were streamed on BBC iPlayer, the BBC News website and displayed on a massive virtual mosaic screen at the BBC’s London Broadcasting House, providing an immersive experience to audiences in the UK and globally. The broadcast reached a peak audience of 4.6m viewers in the UK.
The BBC employed a custom tripod and smartphone kit with the TVU Anywhere app for cellular-bonded live transmissions at each count. This setup allowed real-time video feeds to be captured despite local cellular network pressures. The user-friendly remote production system was easily configurable by non-technical staff. This compact kit and lack of reliance on broadcast vehicles enabled the BBC to generate more live content in an environmentally sustainable way.
BBC News’ Geraint Thomas, who led the project, said: “This approach not only upheld the BBC’s highest quality standards but also pioneered a new method of election broadcasting that would have been near impossible using traditional methods. The TVU cloud platform allowed us to scale up a vast number of feeds and handle peak traffic seamlessly without investing in additional hardware. This was both an editorial and technological innovation that transformed the viewing experience, bringing the vote counting process closer to our audience, setting a new benchmark in election coverage.”
Hundreds of live feeds were ingested and recorded in real-time on the TVU Search cloud platform, displayed in a large mosaic view using TVU Partyline. Viewers could see all voting locations across the UK simultaneously and access custom mosaics for their regions.
The BBC managed 21 regional workflows via TVU Partyline, offering tailored coverage for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. “We delivered the most personalised election coverage ever in live video. Across the UK, wherever you looked you could see democracy in action, live,” added Jonny McGuigan, BBC News’ Streaming Editor. “The ability to choose from any one of 369 counts on the night meant we could always be where the story was. When augmented with our traditional broadcast live SNG and bonded connectivity, we could guarantee we’d be where audiences needed us, on digital platforms, TV and radio all night long.”
Viewers could access live feeds via BBC News’ website constituency pages, fostering a personal connection to the electoral process. The BBC’s London studio featured a massive virtual LED wall connected to all feeds, while national programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also had access to the live content. The live streams were used alongside political commentary, providing real-time updates and expert analysis, making the coverage interactive and visually engaging. The TVU platform seamlessly integrated with the existing broadcast infrastructure, outputting IP for OTT and SDI for TV and radio programs.
Geraint stated: “When we started planning this project, many believed the election would be held later in the year. In a matter of weeks, we managed to achieve what we thought would take months to develop, and integrated the TVU cloud platform with our on-premise workflows in a cost-effective manner.”
“It’s about innovating together and redefining the boundaries of broadcast technology,” stated Paul Shen, CEO of TVU Networks, praising the BBC for leading the way in blending linear and digital broadcasting across their media supply chain to offer a wider variety of content. “This collaboration is a testament to what’s possible when we combine our strengths. The future of broadcast is now, offering an accessible, sustainable model that opens up endless possibilities for storytelling to audiences everywhere.”
