
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 Formula 1 circus, where, behind the scenes - or when it comes to Zandvoort: behind the dunes - it functions like a well-oiled machine, to use an appropriate term. Frank Steenbeek describes a pretty complex operation.
As Chief Operating Officer (COO), he calls himself a bit of a jack-of-all-trades , especially when it comes to the global car racing spectacle where Broadcast Rental has such a strong presence. I make sure everyone is able to do their job with the right tools, says Steenbeek, who has been with the company since 2017. I needed a little time to master the expertise we have - there is a huge technological development and it can be tricky, especially when it comes to wireless - but at some point our Formula 1 operation was pretty transparent, so I could get focus on the frequency issue.
That part of Steenbeek's job is as crucial as it is, perhaps, underestimated. At the beginning of the year, I create a framework with agreements that we made about who goes where and what frequencies we use where. Our tower of strength, Laura de Leeuw, then organises all the flights, hotels and local car rental. After that we just need to stay on top of new developments. The operation then basically runs itself. It may sound a bit arrogant, but we rarely have any issues with our systems, because we are deeply embedded in the FOM organisation (Formula One Management, the Formula One Group's operational organisation that manages broadcasting rights, red.) and are able to switch gears very quickly. It also helps that Jeroen Klaver and Bastiaan Woering, our dedicated Formula 1 crew, are present at each race and are able to manage or solve everything by themselves.
We are essentially the biggest supplier of unilateral facilities at the circuit, even though we are only a small operation.
Seven-strong team
That strong dedicated crew and the fact that we can upscale the local infrastructure with a relatively small amount of people is our unique selling point, Steenbeek realises. So, for Broadcast Rental The Dutch GP at Zandvoort is really business as usual, except on a much larger scale, since for Ziggo Sport this is a home race.
That is why we have a seven-strong team present. Bastiaan is the regular technician for commentator Olav Mol and reporter Jack Plooij, and there are two people to man the four extra wireless cameras that are used during the studio programme on location. On top of that, through Faber, the organisation requested two systems that have to cover the entire circuit, we supply Radio 538 with a fan zone system, and we are also active for MTV 3 Finland, BBC Radio and de NENT Group. I perform a kind of twin role, in which I offer production support to Ziggo/Southfields and act as a point of contact for all parties involved.
Complex triangle
The frequency allocation was also a bit more complicated this time, states Steenbeek, All requests were collected via the Formula 1 organisation, with Audio Electronics Mattijsen coordinating everything and the Agentschap Telecom then allocating the systems. It is a complex triangle, but it does mean everything runs smoothly on the day. The AT checks the equipment before we can actually use it. This takes time, so we try and get our turn as early in the week as possible. Of course, everyone else wants the same thing, so it will be a bit of a struggle to arrange this with mutual respect
Normally, production companies or TV stations have to put in their own request for these frequencies with the Formula 1 organisation, but for half the races we do this on their behalf, because we have knowledge of the equipment that often leads to specific questions. The rest of the time, you put your requests directly to the local telecom agencies'. In Italy you get in touch with the ministry, and in Brazil it is a commercial party.
We are essentially the biggest supplier of unilateral facilities at the circuit, even though we are only a small operation. Formula 1 has its own system and of course there are lots more other foreign parties that all have their own wireless equipment. That all has to fit into the spectrum and it can lead to strange situations. In Bahrein, military installations can suddenly be switched on, and in Brazil we need a mile-long cable, because of the huge distances. We know most circuits like the back of our hand, but we don't have those kinds of details about Zandvoort yet. But I'm not at all worried that we'll go off track there
No-brainer
NENT Group has acquired the rights to Formula 1 for the next three years. You are already doing business with them, so is Broadcast Rental still assured of this amazing job?
First of all, it is still unclear how NENT will be approaching this. The fact is that the GP races will be shown on their Viaplay platform and that six of them will probably be shown on an open channel. I can't predict how NENT will be rolling out the studio and connectivity in The Netherlands, but they have indicated that they are very satisfied with the services that we have delivered over the years. I don't want to call it a no-brainer, but we hope to reach an agreement about delivering systems for multiple countries and in multiple languages. We can easily draw on our current activities.
We get in touch every week to discuss the coming race: how are we doing, what are the plans? Apart from unilateral issues that can be dealt with on the spot, we can also take care of connectivity from the circuit to the different countries. That happens through our own MCR in Hilversum. Whether it is Australia or Belgium, the signals arrive with us through a fibre-optic connection and we do all the checks, both with the
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
COW Jobs: Blender on Windows - Generalist - Remote
Brie Clayton September 23, 2026
0 Comments
Application Users - Blender on Windows - Generalist
Se...
23/09/2026
Version 1.8 recognised for new workflow tools, boosted control panel flexibility and ease of integration into IP networks...
23/09/2026
Hiltron Communications reports a successful 2026 International Broadcasting Convention, held at the RAI Amsterdam. Exhibiting on stand A37 in Hall 1, Hiltron ex...
23/09/2026
Reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) broadcast market, LiveU is presenting the Q Era at CABSAT 2026, on Stand H1-D35 ...
23/09/2026
Agence France-Presse (AFP), a global news agency, and Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced a partnersh...
23/09/2026
Berklee Connect Unlocks the Power of a Global Network Katie Vitolins BM '04 knows firsthand what Berklee's alumni community can make possible. Now she...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
23/09/2026
Westminster Schools, a K through 12 school in Atlanta, Georgia with approximately 2,000 students, has transformed its student broadcast and digital storytelling...
23/09/2026
The 2026 edition of CABSAT and SATExpo may have a new home and dates in the diary, but it still retains a strong presence from UK companies in the GREAT Britain...
23/09/2026
Glensound will return to CABSAT with new developments in professional monitoring and Dante interfacing, alongside its established commentary, esports and parlia...
23/09/2026
Luxembourg, 23 September 2026 - SES today announced the appointment of Mr. Michel Scholer, Secretary General of the Luxembourg Government and Chief of Staff to ...
23/09/2026
RT One and RT Player, Friday 25 September
Ceol le Ch ile, a new series that follows Irish artists as they collaborate with musicians from diverse background...
23/09/2026
Available now on RT Listen
New information has come to light in the case of mi...
23/09/2026
When Sakeena Fiza describes her work as a validation engineer at NVIDIA, she does so in terms more befitting a detective story than a world-class engineering la...
22/09/2026
From Malaysia to Mexico and from DR Congo to Ukraine, this year's 12 finalists for the 2026 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year award tell extra...
22/09/2026
The annual preseason content-gathering event brought 36 NHL players to Las Vegas, where ESPN used 2.5 kilowatts of laser power and a motion-control camera syste...
22/09/2026
Neumann has introduced the KK 104 A (cardioid) and KK 105 A (supercardioid) wireless capsule heads, succeeding the KK 204 and KK 205. The new capsules are compa...
22/09/2026
The NFL and TMRW Sports have announced a new annual Pro Flag Showcase to be held during Super Bowl LXI week in Los Angeles. The event will feature top flag foot...
22/09/2026
Washington State University has unveiled a new end zone video display and audio ...
22/09/2026
Disney's SVP of Live Operations and Engineering details the technology behin...
22/09/2026
Cosm has announced two senior promotions. Mazen Alawar has been promoted to SVP,...
22/09/2026
Mississippi State University's University Television Center has purchased four KOKUSAI DENKI SK-UHD7000-S2 cameras since 2024, with plans to add two more, a...
22/09/2026
Net Insight has announced that Christine Kjellvard will assume the role of interim Chief Financial Officer on November 1, 2026. Kjellvard has previously held in...
22/09/2026
Net Insight has announced Zyntai TimeNode Access, a compact PTP Grandmaster designed for distributed edge sites. The product carries secure, precise time across...
22/09/2026
Sam Hazeldine, Austin Amelio, Padraic McKinley, Julia Jones, and Ethan Hawke attend the premiere of The Weight at The Ray Theatre on January 26, 2026, in Park...
22/09/2026
Second high-gain tone plug-in released
Following on from their debut release, Chainsaw Suite, Avalanche Tones have announced the launch of their second plug...
22/09/2026
Uncompressed audio with below 6ms of latency
Lewitt's have just introduced their first pair of headphones which, despite being aimed primarily at studio...
22/09/2026
Two new capsule heads for Sennheiser wireless systems
Neumann have announced the upcoming launch of the KK 104 A and KK 105 A, a pair of new premium condens...
22/09/2026
Apogee Plugins Are Moving to Plugin Alliance We're excited to share an important update about the future of Apogee plugins.
Apogee plugins are moving to Pl...
22/09/2026
Parkland, Florida, US, September 22, 2026: SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, has been honored wit...
22/09/2026
VanityFilter 3.1.5 adds project files and adjustable protection around lips, bro...
22/09/2026
Chile's TV Modernizes Broadcast Operations with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton September 22, 2026
0 Comments
URSA Broadcast G2 brings versatility...
22/09/2026
OWC Shares Sneak Peek at Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Pricing
Brie Clayton September 22, 2026
0 Comments
Image courtesy of Deposit Photos
Business and ...
22/09/2026
Berklee's First Homecoming Block Party Brings Alumni Home for Global Music F...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
22/09/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...