Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

WAFU Cup of Nations live from Senegal

09/05/2023

The 2019 West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations is currently in full swing in Thi s, Senegal, and Broadcast Rental is working closely with Fox Sports to bring live action from every day of the tournament to Africa and beyond.

This biannual event for West African countries, running from 28 September to 13 October, is the sixth edition of the WAFU Cup of Nations. The 2010 WAFU Nations Cup (as it was then known) hosted in Nigeria was the first edition of the event, although the tournament was also held in 2002 in Ivory Coast but was cancelled due to civil war in the host country.

The Cup was adopted by ESPN Africa in 2002 to focus on local content. The 2017 edition was the first covered by Fox Sports and was a resounding success, reaching more than 200 million households worldwide for the final with Ghana versus Nigeria.

We needed a set up that's easy to transport in the cargo hold of a commercial aeroplane and it had to be lightweight with a small footprint. Everything we created is based around the size of a pallet; even the production desks our inhouse R&D department.

Fox Sports the Netherlands needed some external help in 2017 to make this complex production work, so it called on Fabriq Media Group to be host broadcaster on its behalf. Fabriq has again produced the event on behalf of Fox Sports the Netherlands this year, making it a co-production.

Henk van Meerkerk, head of production at Fox Sports, spoke to SVG Europe from Senegal where he is currently working on the broadcast for the event. He explained: The WAFU Cup of Nations didn't fit into our regular workload in the Netherlands. So for the second WAFU Cup Of Nations, we again approached Fabriq Media Group for the host broadcast production.

Fabriq Media Group is a company also based in the Netherlands specialised in host broadcast production in sports and events all around the globe. After our successful collaboration in 2017, we decided to continue our relationship for this year's edition in Senegal.

The media output this year is a collaboration between ESPN Africa and Fox Sports the Netherlands (Fox Sports has been rebranded to ESPN in Africa since Disney became owner of the business).

")/>

New flightpack kicking off in SenegalVan Meerkerk commented on Fox Sports and Broadcast Rental's relationship, which has led to a brand new UHD 4K-ready flightpack designed by Broadcast Rental for this kind of challenging event being used in use in Senegal for the first time: Because of the long relationship between Fox Sports the Netherlands and Broadcast Rental, WAFU was a unique opportunity to extend the corporation.

Broadcast Rental built a scalable and lightweight UHD 4K-ready flightpack that can be transported easily on a commercial aeroplane, ideal for a complex production such as the WAFU Cup of Nations in a challenging environment in Senegal, van Meerkerk said.

Fox Sports is producing multi-lateral worldfeed coverage going out to 28 free-to-air broadcasters in Africa and 35 countries worldwide. All 22 football matches from the group stage to the finals will be broadcasted live, with a total of approximately six hours a day of live coverage.

Added van Meerkerk: Alongside the live coverage we're creating scenery shots, highlight packages and social media content on a daily basis.

A crew of 26 people from Holland were flown into Senegal for the live production. Said Martijn Swart, CTO at Broadcast Rental, also on the ground in Senegal: The signal is distributed from the Fox Sports Playout in Hilversum, the Netherlands, to the rest of the world.

Swart commented on the new flightpack: We've built our flight pack based on traditional' HD-SDI; the Ross Ultrix matrix together with Axon Cerebrum control surface is at the heart of the system. We've chosen to use IP in some of the key aspects of the set up, such as our RTS Odin Intercom, tally, KVM extension and audio.

")/>

Flexibility and portability At the moment the set up is prepared for 16 camera channels, but by adding another flightcase this is easily expanded to 24, continued Swart.

The customer can decide the camera brand and type of camera; at the moment Sony HDC-2500's are used, but this could also be a different brand or even large sensor cinema camera's.

Van Meerkerk added that this flexibility of the flightpack is important for Fox Sports' customers: We like to adapt our set up to the customer's needs as much as possible, for any type of production.

According to Swart, power and portability were key factors when creating this flightpack. We wanted to build a powerful flypack that we could use for the football tournament in Senegal and then for other larger events. It's the first time we've created a dedicated flypack like this, but we've worked with Ross Video before and were extremely impressed with the Ultrix platform and how much production power it offers in such a compact unit.

It made sense for us to put Ultrix at the heart of this flypack and the software-defined nature of the product means it's easy for us to turn on additional features as and when we need them, continued Swart.

We've also included XPression graphics and a Carbonite production switcher in the kit because they're both proven and reliable solutions.

What is innovative about this flightpack is its diminutive size, said Swart: We needed a set up that's easy to transport in the cargo hold of a commercial aeroplane and it had to be lightweight with a small footprint. Everything we created is based around the size of a pallet; even the production desks our inhouse R&D department designed can be easily stacked on a pallet and transported all over the world. Size and weight is key, that's also reflected in the equipment choices we've made.

The production set up is built insid
LINK: https://www.broadcastrental.com/projects/wafu-cup-of-nations-live-from...
See more stories from broadcastrental

More from Broadcast Rental

27/06/2023

Vacature project manager Operations, Travel & Support

Functie omschrijving Als project manager Operations, Travel & Support ben jij diegene die de reizen van onze crew tot in de puntjes voorbereid. Het boeken van ...

26/06/2023

Vacature Project manager Travel & Support operations

Functie omschrijving Als project manager Travel & Support operations ben jij diegene die de reizen van onze crew tot in de puntjes voorbereid. Van het boeken v...

09/05/2023

The 2014 World Rowing Championships

The 2014 World Rowing Championships held in Amsterdam at the end of August, did not only test the athletes but also the production professionals from Netherland...

09/05/2023

Cobham kit at MTV Europe Music Awards

Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, the RF specialist company, and Videosys Broadcast, a leading Cobham reseller of broadcast solutions for film, t...

09/05/2023

Wireless technology for the Rolling Stones in Cuba

On March 25, the Rolling Stones performed a legendary concert in the Cuban capital Havana. The first time ever appearance of a British rock band in Cuba marked ...

09/05/2023

The European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam

It has been a busy summer or Broadcast Rental. The European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam, the Olympics in Rio, the Tour de France, Wimbledon, the Europe...

09/05/2023

National Football Cup with 4 built-in camera's

During the Dutch national cup final (KNVB Cup) on April 30 in the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam, the KNVB Cup suddenly transformed into a live multicamera. At...

09/05/2023

Above the airwaves!

Broadcast Rental has of course been known for some time for its special custom-made broadcast solutions, and has seen its fair share of crazy challenges. But li...

09/05/2023

The challenges of working with UHD

UHD is setting the standard for television, yet it is not without challenges for broadcasters. Sports Video Group Europe editor Heather Mclean talked to Broadca...

09/05/2023

First papal visit to UAE

Pope Francis spent two days in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week. The journey was historic, as this was the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula. ...

09/05/2023

WAFU Cup of Nations live from Senegal

The 2019 West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations is currently in full swing in Thi s, Senegal, and Broadcast Rental is working closely with Fox Sports...

09/05/2023

Axon Case Study: BCR Fly-Pack

International full-service solutions provider Broadcast Rental has put Axon's Cerebrum control and monitoring platform centre stage in a new 4K-capable OB f...

09/05/2023

Live Dakar Rally coverage from the Saudi Arabian desert

Making TV during the Dakar Rally involves dust, a lot of miles and long journeys through foreign lands. Plus the challenge of establishing satellite links to br...

09/05/2023

Remote Green Rooms

Organizing a Eurovision Song Contest in these COVID-19 times was a huge challenge. Last year, the international event was postponed to 2021. But this year, too,...

09/05/2023

Well-oiled machine in the Formula 1

From 2016 Broadcast Rental company has had strong ties with the Formula 1 circus, where, behind the scenes - or when it comes to Zandvoort: behind the dunes - i...

09/05/2023

RF Cloud at Zuiderpark

Between 16 and 22 April 2022 the Zuiderpark in The Hague was taken over by the Invictus Games. During this special event, over 500 servicemen and women and vete...

09/05/2023

Week van: Rick Verwaal

Maandag: Genieten van de climaxWie ik ben? Rick Verwaal. Wat ik doe? Heb je even? Laat ik maar beginnen met mijn functie: Service Engineer bij Broadcast Rental....

24/05/2022

Broadcast Rental's RF Cloud at Zuiderpark

Wireless Reception Anywhere during the Invictus Games Between 16 and 22 April 2022 the Zuiderpark in The Hague was taken over by the Invictus Games. During th...

24/05/2022

De RF Wolk van Broadcast Rental in het Zuiderpark

Overal draadloze ontvangst tijdens de Invictus Games Het Haagse Zuiderpark staat tussen 16 en 22 april 2022 in het teken van de Invictus Games. Ruim vijfhonde...

16/09/2021

Well-oiled machine in the Formula 1 circus

Well-oiled machine in the Formula 1 circus Broadcast Rental feels at home on Circuit Zandvoort From 2016 Broadcast Rental company has had strong ties with the...

21/05/2021

The Remote Green Rooms of Broadcast Rental & Com1 Communication Solutions

The Remote Green Rooms of Broadcast Rental & Com1 Communication Solutions Organizing a Eurovision Song Contest in these COVID-19 times was a huge challenge. L...

26/01/2021

Broadcast Rental provides recordings for TheaterThuis.nl

Broadcast Rental provides recordings for TheaterThuis.nl The fact that the Corona pandemic can create beautiful things, becomes clear again in the case of The...

11/03/2020

Broadcast Rental substantially expands their Mobile Viewpoint range

Broadcast Rental substantially expands their Mobile Viewpoint range Broadcast Rental has invested heavily in the expansion of their range of WMT transmitters ...

24/01/2020

Cerebrum delivers seamless multivendor control to Broadcast Rental's OB flight-pack solution

Axon Case Studie: BCR Fly-Pack Cerebrum delivers seamless multivendor control to...

14/11/2019

Welke briljante techneut met audio & video knowhow komt bij ons in dienst?

Ben jij een assertieve AV technicus op zoek naar Nationale en Interationale uitdagingen en spreekt het werken in een klein hecht team je aan? Neem dan contact m...

12/11/2019

A Decade of Linking Professionals

Geert Paul Slee, CEO and founder of Broadcast Rental, still knows exactly what he did on September 1, 2009. Driving through the Eurotunnel with a Volkswagen Tr...

12/10/2019

Fox Sports and Broadcast Rental collaborate to bring the WAFU Cup of Nations live from Senegal

Fox Sports and Broadcast Rental collaborate to bring the WAFU Cup of Nations liv...

28/05/2019

Media Diamant for broadcast innovator' Martijn Swart

Media Diamant for broadcast innovator' Martijn Swart Monte Carlo / Hilversum May 26, 2019 On June 6, broadcast innovator' Martijn Swart (43) will ...

19/02/2019

Broadcast Rental on the move for live broadcasts of first papal visit to UAE

Broadcast Rental on the move for live broadcasts of first papal visit to UAE Pope Francis spent two days in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week. The jour...

30/11/2018

Setting standards: Broadcast Rental on the challenges of working with UHD

Setting standards: Broadcast Rental on the challenges of working with UHD UHD is setting the standard for television, yet it is not without challenges for bro...

25/11/2018

Wil jij meer stempels in je paspoort? Dan hebben wij de perfecte job voor jou!

Ben jij een assertieve AV technicus op zoek naar een uitdaging die tot ver over de landsgrenzen reikt, neem dan contact met ons op om te kijken of jij onze miss...

23/11/2018

Ben je in het bezit van een paspoort zonder stempels? Dan hebben wij de perfecte job voor jou!

Ben jij een assertieve AV technicus op zoek naar een uitdaging die tot ver over ...

10/11/2018

Above the air waves!

Above the airwaves! The Coen en Sander Show live from a hot air balloon Broadcast Rental has of course been known for some time for its special custom-made br...

12/10/2018

Broadcast Rental invests in new equipment

Broadcast Rental invests in new equipment Demand for IP Technology and Ultra HD-4K Television Still on the Rise The demand for wireless equipment and Ultra H...

15/09/2018

Busy summer for Broadcast Rental

The summer holidays are over, but we have not been relaxing in the past months. Actually, we were quite busy. Our staff and equipment have been traveling all ov...

25/07/2018

Broadcast Rental selects DTC AEON TX for wireless 4K/UHD program

Whiteley, Hampshire, UK Broadcast Rental, the leading Dutch rental house based in Hilversum, Netherlands, has agreed a partnership with Videosys Broadcast and...

15/06/2017

Broadcast Rental Invest in Sony HDC 3300 Super Slomo Camera System

Bussum, March 2011 - Broadcast Rental adds Sony's 3 speed Super Motion Camera to its Rental fleet. Today, it has evolved into the HDC-3300R a next-genera...

15/06/2017

Broadcast Rental provides wireless technology for the Rolling Stones concert in Cuba

On March 25, the Rolling Stones performed a legendary concert in the Cuban capit...

15/06/2017

Worlds first: National Football Cup with 4 built-in camera's

During the Dutch national cup final (KNVB Cup) on April 30 in the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam, the KNVB Cup suddenly transformed into a live multicamera. At...

07/06/2017

Worlds first: National Football Cup with 4 built-in camera s

During the Dutch national cup final (KNVB Cup) on April 30 in the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam, the KNVB Cup suddenly transformed into a live multicamera. At...

02/06/2017

Broadcast Rental appoints Frank Steenbeek as COO

Broadcast Rental has announced that Frank Steenbeek is appointed as COO (Chief Operating Officer). Steenbeek (39) brings a vast knowledge of the business to Bro...

05/10/2016

Broadcast Rental provides wirele technology for the Rolling Stones concert in Cuba

On March 25, the Rolling Stones performed a legendary concert in the Cuban capit...

05/10/2016

Broadcast Rental acquires BP Satellite Solutions

(klik hier voor Nederlandse versie) With the acquisition of BP Satellite Solutions, Broadcast Rental now aims at global market coverage for wireless broadcast ...

09/02/2016

Broadcast Rental heeft ruimte voor jou!

Broadcast Rental is een jong bedrijf dat werkt voor facilitaire bedrijven, omroepen en televisieproducenten. Na een succesvol 2015 hebben wij onze bedrijfsruimt...

28/01/2016

New player enters the profeional rental market: Geert Paul Slee launches Broadcast Rental

Bussum, September 1st 2009 - A brand new company launches in the TV broadcast eq...

28/01/2016

Broadcast Rental looks to EVS for future productions

Bussum, April 2010 - Broadcast Rental, the newly founded rental house, has recently acquired 2 new XT[2] production servers and 2 XF[2] removable storage syste...

25/11/2015

We have a new website!

Hilversum, October 1, 2015 - We have recently re-designed our trusted website. It's now ready for the future! To accommodate the growth of the company we ...

11/11/2015

Broadcast Rental partners with Mobile Viewpoint for WMT transmitters.

As of October 1, Hilversum based Broadcast Rental is the preferred rental partner for Mobile Viewpoint, worldwide manufacturer of WMT transmitters. These transm...

04/11/2015

Broadcast Rental uses Cobham kit at MTV Europe Music Awards

Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, the RF specialist company, and Videosys Broadcast, a leading Cobham reseller of broadcast solutions for film, t...

21/08/2015

Broadcast Rental invests in Grass Valley LDX XstremeSpeed camera

MONTREAL, May 6, 2014 - For ultimate camera flexibility and superior image quality like never before, the Netherlands-based rental house Broadcast Rental has pu...