requires around 9 MHz of satellite space
at Ku or C band. However, for this conflict
a number of broadcasting companies
have looked to reduce the size of the
occasional use feed channels to 6 MHz
or even 4.5 MHz in order to maximise the
number of available channels for news
gathering activities. Within this bandwidth
a number of communications channels
are now regularly required to establish
IFB and co-ordination telephone line links
back to base. Booking space segment in
advance of a “potential” conflict – or major
news story – can be a precarious exercise
in cost management. Space segment for
occasional use services has become
relatively commoditised but still doesn’t
come inexpensively.Booking a ten-minute
feed here and there is procedurally very
simple with the service offered by today’s
satellite operators, and under normal
circumstances space segment would be
available at the news gatherer’s behest.
However, for an event such as covering
the impending conflict in Iraq, it is
essential for the space segment to be
available on a 24/7 basis.
Of course, no commercial enterprise in
today’s world of tight budget control would
prefer to take out a satellite space
segment lease – however short term –
only for it to remain dormant during the
quiet period prior to hostilities. Potential
bookings have been “pencilled in”
awaiting the trigger of war before
confirmation.This has led to a last minute
scramble for space segment being
confirmed against the pencil booking.
Some news-gatherers will be (and have
been) disappointed. Satellites of first
choice have be unavailable after the initial
flurry of confirmations, leaving Intelsat,
Eutelsat, Europe*Star and PanAmSat et
al, with barely an occasional use channel
connecting the Middle East remaining.
For the organisers, there is always much
to do during the period of conflict. But
once the world event being covered is
over, the logistics staff starts all over again
– in reverse.
Members of staff have to be repatriated
and thoroughly rested before the next
assignment. Equipment has to be
returned to base for maintenance and
repair. In the case of the war in Iraq, this
will mean that the amount of equipment
coming back to base will most likely
exceed the amount of kit stored by the
news agency prior to hostilities. The
issues of storage and maintenance will
be considered – and no doubt dealt with
the usual tenacity of organisations which
are involved in “change management” on
a daily – and sometimes minute by
minute, basis.
And so, armed with Cameras,
Microphones, Licences, Accommodation,
Generators, Solar Power Supplies,
Rechargeable Batteries, Air Conditioning,
Journalists, Production Units, Fixers,
Uplinks, Translators, Cabling, IFB,
Telephone Links, Protection, MoD
training, Space Segment, Insurance,
Visas, Chemical Protection Suits, Body
Armour, together with a battalion of
support staff at headquarters, our intrepid
news gatherers go forth. ”I’m ready for my
close up now Mr De Mille.”
Can you hear me, London?
EuropeStar advert from
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