
To 4G, or not to 4G: EMG on bringing the iconic 2024 London Marathon to viewers globally By Heather McLean
Friday, April 19, 2024 - 09:09
Print This Story
EMG is deploying four bikes in a 4G transmission backup test using LiveU units for the London Marathon 2024
This weekend nearly 66,000 people will don their favourite trainers, liberally apply a layer of lubricant to body parts that are likely to chafe, and pin on their numbers for the iconic London Marathon.
Being brought to TV screens around the world in its entirety by host broadcaster, the BBC, the broadcast of this 43 year old race is being carried out by technical services provider, EMG.
The London Marathon first took place in 1981 and has become one of the most popular marathons in the world. The route takes in many of London's best landmarks including Buckingham Palace, The Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, and bringing it all to life is EMG.
We do have an enhanced RF system that gives us diversity across that section of the marathon and coverage through the tunnels. And we're going to monitor the 4G [on bikes] and see what it does in those tunnels
This year the marathon has a reduced OB setup compared to previous years, with four rather than the previous six OBs along the route. Livermore explains: The marathon is a multi-site event. This year we have large outside broadcast units at the start in Blackheath, at Cutty Sark in Greenwich, at Tower Bridge and then at the finish line on Canada Gate. EMG Connectivity is deploying single camera 4G LiveU units and interview positions out across the marathon, which should give it a different feel to previous years.
Those units will be at Limehouse, where there will also be roving reporters, and at Blackfriars. Says Livermore: Depending on the success of those sites, and additional tests that we are doing this year, it has the potential to grow.
EMG's Mark Houghton and James Halliday testing RF connectivity prior to the 2024 London Marathon
To 4G or not to 4G
Those other tests are into the reliability of bonded 4G units, he notes. The issue that we've always had with any 4G or LiveU kits is the only time to test their viability for the London Marathon is at the London Marathon. At no other time do you have that number of people moving around in a cluster. The time that you want to film them is when there's a huge mass of people that arrive in that exact location. We are testing bikes [with LiveU units] this year, as a backup to the traditional [RF] links to the aeroplane.
In total, four bikes will be involved in the 4G backup test, which says Livermore, will give us a good indication of how well they work. EMG Connectivity has worked hard in integrating the systems into the existing bike setup, with bespoke mounting and switchable comms.
The most challenging aspect of the route is along the Blackfriars section of the marathon, where, there's a lot of tunnels and underpasses, notes Livermore. We do have an enhanced RF system that gives us diversity across that section of the marathon and coverage through the tunnels. And we're going to monitor the 4G [on bikes] and see what it does in those tunnels.
We know that [4G] works in a quiet London in our tests outside of the London Marathon, but we're looking at what it does when [the city is] loaded with people and how the bikes perform through those sections. We're all looking forward to seeing the results.
Drone perspectives
New for the London Marathon in 2024 is the use of drones. There will be one at the start and one at the finish, providing those first and last mile shots to bring a new perspective to the footage, between the helicopter view and the jibs.
The drones are a new thing for the marathon; it hasn't been done before. There's one at the start on Blackheath and then one in the Queen Elizabeth Gardens at Canada Gate. We've had hoists in those positions in previous years, but we're hoping for a bit more movement from the drone, and they can get higher to give a more aerial shot. It's that nice in-between the hoist and the heli, that's what the drone gives you. And if we have some fine weather, it's going to look spectacular.
The drones will add to that sense of place for viewers at home watching the marathon, giving a view of the race itself and also spectacular glimpses of central London with its iconic buildings and bridges.
At the London Marathon, Aerial Camera Systems (ACS) will provide the helicopters and aeroplane with EMG Connectivity on the transmissions and ground links and BT on the backhaul connectivity
Connecting cameras
The cameras being used are Sony HDC 4300's as standard and some Sony HDC 3500's. Meanwhile, Aerial Camera Systems (ACS) will provide the helicopters and aeroplane with EMG Connectivity on the transmissions and ground links and BT on the backhaul connectivity.
RF equipment on board the RF relay aircraft for the London Marathon 2024
All of the inter-site feeds this year are being done as usual via satellite at BT's main satellite earth station, Madley Communications Centre, where over 65 giant satellite dishes dominate the 63-acre site in Herefordshire.
Says Livermore: We downlink them at Madeley, not at the finish line, because it's just more resilient to bring those feeds down to a large dish than it is to bring them down onto another satellite truck with a small dish; it's more resilient in terms of weather.
Then we bring those feeds back via BT Tower and get them to Canada Gate at the finish line where the presentation scanner is. This truck brings all of those feeds together, including the bikes, the helis, any of the live view kits that are out. Its where the final programme is made.
Meanwhile, the international feed is done at the BBC's base in Salford.
North America Stories
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
18/08/2026
Riedel Communications has announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, ...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Lightware announces an integration with SpectralBot that helps system integrators and AV operators troubleshoot faster using augmented reality (AR), AI-assisted...
18/08/2026
Command Frame for After Effects
Scott Black August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Free download, demonstrations, hands-on tests, and creator resources
Want to t...
18/08/2026
At Stand 14.A57, the data company will demonstrate GreenDot and IBM Aspera together, giving media and entertainment businesses real-time visibility of what thei...
18/08/2026
New tool provides a robust audit of operational workflows, calculating the tangible value each delivers today, and informing business decisions for tomorrow.
W...
18/08/2026
Media Utilities is integrating its activities into DigiNet and will maintain a recognisable presence in the market under the name: Media Utilities, a DigiNet br...
18/08/2026
Proof of Concept validates reliable multi-camera live production from remote racecourses without fixed network infrastructure
Appear ASA (Appear, OSE:APR), a g...
18/08/2026
Stingr, a new venture from the founders of Hornets Tech, is bringing its second-screen interaction platform to IBC2026.
The second screen has never really wor...
18/08/2026
Long-established satellite equipment manufacturer and systems integrator Hiltron Communications will promote its new HACUX-IDU2 antenna control unit touchscreen...
18/08/2026
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS Launch Combined Nuvex System
Brie Clayton August 17, 2026
0 Comments
Integrated platform melds media asset management, pla...
18/08/2026
The United Stand Scales Live Fan Show with Blackmagic Design Workflow
Brie Clayton August 17, 2026
0 Comments
ATEM Constellation 8K and HyperDeck Stud...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Triveni Digital Now Offers a Joint Solution With MediaKind and a Lab System Bundle Supporting ISDB-Tb and TV 3.0 Broadcast Services
Triveni Digital, a trusted ...
18/08/2026
At IBC2026, BeckTV, a premier systems integrator for the broadcast industry, will introduce BeckFlow to the European market. BeckFlow is the first web-based sch...
18/08/2026
New flagship PTZ camera combines cinematic 4K imaging, professional broadcast connectivity and the complete Horizon intelligent video experience for productions...
18/08/2026
At IBC2026, VisualOn will demonstrate how video service providers can slash bandwidth costs, maximize ad revenue, and deploy premium interactive features withou...
18/08/2026
The relationships built during graduate school often continue to shape careers long after a degree is earned, creating a community of scientists who learn from ...
18/08/2026
In my previous article, The AI Shift Feels Familiar. Our Response Should Be Different., I argued that the greatest challenge organizations face is no longer the...
17/08/2026
Producer William Forbes and director Andrew Schwartz detail the decade-long effo...
17/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/08/2026
Continuing its virtualisation strategy, Calrec has integrated its ImPulseV virtualised DSP software with NEP Platform, bringing its scalable audio processing ca...
17/08/2026
Mediaproxy, the global standard for software-based IP compliance monitoring and multiviewing solutions, will highlight major innovations in compliance monitorin...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Add rounded corners to mask in After Effects
Graham Quince August 14, 2026
0 Comments
Ever wished you could smoothly round the corners of a Mask Path ...
15/08/2026
Director Go Riju's Rhapsody Rhapsody Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 6K
Brie Clayton August 14, 2026
0 Comments
Anamorphic cinematography and color gradi...