Eurovision 2022 trials multi-site 5G broadcasts

Italian broadcaster RAI joins ORS/ORF in Vienna, France Télévisions in Paris, and SWR/ARD in Stuttgart, who are showcasing 5G capabilities with Eurovision Song Contest content live from Turin.

According to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the multi-site trial will test how live content can be efficiently distributed to mass audiences over 5G networks.

• Watch Rohde & Schwarz talk broadcast and multicast capabilities over 5G

Antonio Arcidiacono, EBU Director of Technology & Innovation, commented: “5G Broadcast offers big opportunities to the whole media value chain and there’s no better way to showcase this technology than at the EBU’s flagship event – the Eurovision Song Contest. With its flexibility, free-to-air reception, compatibility with existing broadcast networks and seamless integration with 5G devices, it represents an important step in building truly hybrid networks for the benefit and safety of global media consumers.”

The 5G Broadcast solution itself is built on the 3GPP Rel-16 feature-set, operating in a Receive-Only Mode (ROM), Free-To-Air (FTA) and without the need for a SIM card (SIM-free reception). The 5G Broadcast dedicated mode will be demonstrated with a standalone broadcast infrastructure operating within the UHF band.

Behind the scenes, the participating broadcasters are assisted by technology providers Rohde & Schwarz, a global leader in broadcast transmitter and media technologies; Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., the driving force behind the development, launch and expansion of 5G; and Ateme, a global leader in video compression, delivery and streaming solutions.

“We are opening the way to the exciting world of 5G Broadcast and the unrivalled user experience, new revenue opportunities and innovative service models that it brings,” explained Manfred Reitmeier, vice president broadcasting and amplifier systems at Rohde & Schwarz.

Lorenzo Casaccia, Vice President of Technical Standards, Qualcomm Europe, Inc.

added: “Eurovision is not only about what is happening on the stage but what is happening in the greenroom, in the audience, in the locations submitting votes and is the ideal vehicle to showcase 5G Broadcast’s capabilities.”

The Eurovision Song Contest (Turin 2022) takes place on May 14, broadcast live from The Pala Olimpico Arenain, Turin. In the UK, TV presenter AJ Odudu will deliver the results of the UK professional jury vote live from dock10 studios in Salford.