BBC Ventures Group’s businesses are working closely together to develop BBC Sport’s coverage of the Wimbledon Championships – an event which continues to be one of the biggest highlights of the sporting calendar. BBC Outside Broadcasts, which oversees the OB for the event, will be working closely with its sister companies BBC Broadcast, BBC Vecta and BBC Technology to combine technological and creative input to enhance the production team’s workflow and maximise the viewers’ experience.
At the tournament, BBC Outside Broadcasts will integrate an EVS Live Slo-Mo Machine network for the first time giving the production team the flexibility to grab images and compile highlights packages faster than ever. As well as being able to access and edit live material simultaneously, the on-site crew will be able to play back slo-mos as soon as the action happens without the need to wait for tapes. The digital non-linear editing network consists of 13 x 6 Channel EVS XT machines providing storage of up to 6,000 clips, 8 x supermotion camera replays, 20 further record sources for slo-mo and match turnaround. In addition, this year BBC Outside Broadcasts has increased the number of cameras in Court One to enhance the coverage of the all the matches.
As part of the outside broadcast, WiScape, a business unit of BBC Vecta, will be providing Digital Radio Cameras (DRC) which will broadcast shots from around the venue simultaneously with Sue Barker’s slots throughout Wimbledon. This means that for the first time viewers will be able to feel part of and closer to the action, really soaking up the atmosphere between matches as the cameras sit within the crowds at Henman Hill and between courts. It will also be used during the presentation ceremonies – capuring the excitement of the winners close up.
In addition, BBC Broadcast and BBC Technology will be further enhancing the viewing experience of the tournament by providing streaming of live matches on the BBC Wimbledon website and offering access to the viewer to watch play on all courts through the interactive TV service.