NG
The BBC commissioned that set it a year or two ago - it's the main BBC Sport studio set used for Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2, Score/Final Score, Football Focus, and studio presentation of lots of other sports (Athletics, Tennis etc.) where there is no on-site presenter. It was also used for the Sport Relieft Mile programme this year.
The BBC commissioned it, rather than built it, as the BBC no longer have any in-house studio scenic design or construction staff in-house in London. It uses some very neat LED lighting of perspex, has a very flexible seating and desk arrangement (with sofas with removable backs that become a bit benchy) and some very nice HD projectors running with a Spyder seamless stitching system (Spyder was also used in the main BBC One Election studio - it works a lot more flexibly than the screen controllers BBC News bought for their two studios...) The only downside is that it is on of the few studios at TVC still running with clapped out Thomson 1657s (first gen 16:9 cameras) - most of the other BBC TVC studios are either running SD Sony E30s or HD Sony HDC1500s or similar.
As a gallery it makes a lot of sense for an election programme - as it has excellent outside source co-ordination and contribution facilities (very good comms), as well as a large graphics area. There are actually two galleries for the studio - so you can do a studio show on one network, and an OB show co-ordinated through a second gallery on a second network (and in some cases they've had two sets on the floor and a large curtain between them allowing two studio shows to take place at the same time!)
RTE used the same studio, with a previous set, in 2005.
noggin
Founding member
Very impressed with the London studio, set and camera work. Would RTE have built the set or BBC? One of these days RTE will be able to built something like this back in Dublin 4.
The BBC commissioned that set it a year or two ago - it's the main BBC Sport studio set used for Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2, Score/Final Score, Football Focus, and studio presentation of lots of other sports (Athletics, Tennis etc.) where there is no on-site presenter. It was also used for the Sport Relieft Mile programme this year.
The BBC commissioned it, rather than built it, as the BBC no longer have any in-house studio scenic design or construction staff in-house in London. It uses some very neat LED lighting of perspex, has a very flexible seating and desk arrangement (with sofas with removable backs that become a bit benchy) and some very nice HD projectors running with a Spyder seamless stitching system (Spyder was also used in the main BBC One Election studio - it works a lot more flexibly than the screen controllers BBC News bought for their two studios...) The only downside is that it is on of the few studios at TVC still running with clapped out Thomson 1657s (first gen 16:9 cameras) - most of the other BBC TVC studios are either running SD Sony E30s or HD Sony HDC1500s or similar.
As a gallery it makes a lot of sense for an election programme - as it has excellent outside source co-ordination and contribution facilities (very good comms), as well as a large graphics area. There are actually two galleries for the studio - so you can do a studio show on one network, and an OB show co-ordinated through a second gallery on a second network (and in some cases they've had two sets on the floor and a large curtain between them allowing two studio shows to take place at the same time!)
RTE used the same studio, with a previous set, in 2005.
NG
They're at the key ones, for sure, but not all of them - I suspect the number of counting centres may outnumber the number of satellite uplinks in the country.
I believe the BBC have rented some trucks from Belgium and Denmark for tomorrow night. I'm not sure if UKI-1, the country's first portable satellite uplink, is out and about - but I know that, for instance, Wood Norton's training flyaway will be used.
Yep - they also had trucks from the Netherlands.
This isn't new though - they've had to do it at previous elections as well.
I doubt UKI 1 will be in use - it's far too large to be practical for modern newsgathering - though you never know. Try comparing it to a uPod or a VSat mini!
noggin
Founding member
Interestingly, they look like they're going to use the BBCs OBs since the BBC are the only ones to be live at all the counts.
I believe the BBC have rented some trucks from Belgium and Denmark for tomorrow night. I'm not sure if UKI-1, the country's first portable satellite uplink, is out and about - but I know that, for instance, Wood Norton's training flyaway will be used.
Yep - they also had trucks from the Netherlands.
This isn't new though - they've had to do it at previous elections as well.
I doubt UKI 1 will be in use - it's far too large to be practical for modern newsgathering - though you never know. Try comparing it to a uPod or a VSat mini!
NG
Yes - they will usually come with an uplink engineer who knows how their truck works.
If you aren't familiar with the configuration and kit on a truck you wouldn't really be safe to operate it (both in on-air terms and health and safety terms) Sat trucks have powerful microwave transmitters on them, as well as generators usually, and if you don't know exactly what your are doing with the specific kit involved (which if it is from overseas may not be labelled completely in English!) you can do yourself, your colleagues and the public harm...
The BBC are likely to be running at full stretch staffing their existing regional and network trucks anyway!
Actually I'm probably overestimating the amount of crew needed per truck. How many does it tend to be?
Most SNG trucks will come with a single uplink engineer who also drives the truck. They will align the dish, co-ordinate the uplink with the satellite operators whose transponder they are using, and if there are multiple sound sources coming into the truck, they will often mix these.
The trucks won't usually come with cameras - instead location crews who also shoot pre-recorded content - will turn up (usually with their own cameras which they plug in - or bolt a radio transmitter back onto) to provide the pictures, and location sound (occasionally with a recordist).
noggin
Founding member
Do these trucks that have come in from abroad come with the foreign staff?! Or would the BBC have had enough of its own staff to operate them?
Yes - they will usually come with an uplink engineer who knows how their truck works.
If you aren't familiar with the configuration and kit on a truck you wouldn't really be safe to operate it (both in on-air terms and health and safety terms) Sat trucks have powerful microwave transmitters on them, as well as generators usually, and if you don't know exactly what your are doing with the specific kit involved (which if it is from overseas may not be labelled completely in English!) you can do yourself, your colleagues and the public harm...
The BBC are likely to be running at full stretch staffing their existing regional and network trucks anyway!
Quote:
Actually I'm probably overestimating the amount of crew needed per truck. How many does it tend to be?
Most SNG trucks will come with a single uplink engineer who also drives the truck. They will align the dish, co-ordinate the uplink with the satellite operators whose transponder they are using, and if there are multiple sound sources coming into the truck, they will often mix these.
The trucks won't usually come with cameras - instead location crews who also shoot pre-recorded content - will turn up (usually with their own cameras which they plug in - or bolt a radio transmitter back onto) to provide the pictures, and location sound (occasionally with a recordist).
RD
This was officially announced today. Although last time I was in Pearse Station, all the big screen was showing was adverts...
http://www.rte.ie/about/pressreleases/2010/0519/newsnow190510.html
rdd
Founding member
Big advertising screens in Busaras (and I presume train stations) have had Sky News headlines replaced with RTÉ News Now. Which is good, it was bizarre having UK headlines and £ exchange rates.
This was officially announced today. Although last time I was in Pearse Station, all the big screen was showing was adverts...
http://www.rte.ie/about/pressreleases/2010/0519/newsnow190510.html
CO
I think this is the more fitting thread to ask this:
Did the graphics package on Oireachtas Report get its last refresh with the 2006 RTÉ News look it shares a resemblance of sorts to?
Given how the News presentation has since moved on, the current Astons - still great looking, granted - definitely feel like they should be more in line with news bulletin presentation.
Also notice Una O'Hagan is now doing the late RTÉ One bulletins; I'm sure she was doing the Six One or Nine during the summer when I was last in NI - please don't tell me this is a demotion?
Did the graphics package on Oireachtas Report get its last refresh with the 2006 RTÉ News look it shares a resemblance of sorts to?
Given how the News presentation has since moved on, the current Astons - still great looking, granted - definitely feel like they should be more in line with news bulletin presentation.
Also notice Una O'Hagan is now doing the late RTÉ One bulletins; I'm sure she was doing the Six One or Nine during the summer when I was last in NI - please don't tell me this is a demotion?
Last edited by Colm on 16 December 2010 12:32am
CO
RTÉ One had rolling news coverage which began just before Mr Cowen announced his resignation, presented by Bryan Dobson. It can be watched back via RTÉ Player here.
News Now, which can be watched worldwide online, is currently repeating the Nine O'Clock News and the next scheduled TV news isn't until after midnight. There's no word on any additional special programming on either channel tonight. RTÉ's main live updates this evening are being provided on their website here.
There's a Tonight with Vincent Browne special on TV3 at 11.25pm tonight, possibly here but I apologise in advance if the programme can't be viewed in the GB mainland.
Now watching back tonight's Nuacht TG4 - which you can watch online here - which primarily focused on the story and included the Irish language part of Mr Cowen's speech - the first time I'd seen him speaking Irish.
The bulletin - presented by the blonde bimbo with the irritating voice who appeared regularly over Christmas in lieu of the regular team, who proved incredibly excruiating tonight, especially when winding up interviews and two-ways - wasn't extended but they did have one of the potential candidates to replace Mr Cowen as Fiánna Fáil leader in the studio for an interview.
Interestingly, the man regarded as the next Taoiseach, Enda Kenny of Fine Gael, was in Northern Ireland as a guest of the Alliance Party of NI political conference, so seeing Mr Kenny speaking Irish in the vicinity of disillusioned Ulster Unionists is very surreal.
News Now, which can be watched worldwide online, is currently repeating the Nine O'Clock News and the next scheduled TV news isn't until after midnight. There's no word on any additional special programming on either channel tonight. RTÉ's main live updates this evening are being provided on their website here.
There's a Tonight with Vincent Browne special on TV3 at 11.25pm tonight, possibly here but I apologise in advance if the programme can't be viewed in the GB mainland.
Now watching back tonight's Nuacht TG4 - which you can watch online here - which primarily focused on the story and included the Irish language part of Mr Cowen's speech - the first time I'd seen him speaking Irish.
The bulletin - presented by the blonde bimbo with the irritating voice who appeared regularly over Christmas in lieu of the regular team, who proved incredibly excruiating tonight, especially when winding up interviews and two-ways - wasn't extended but they did have one of the potential candidates to replace Mr Cowen as Fiánna Fáil leader in the studio for an interview.
Interestingly, the man regarded as the next Taoiseach, Enda Kenny of Fine Gael, was in Northern Ireland as a guest of the Alliance Party of NI political conference, so seeing Mr Kenny speaking Irish in the vicinity of disillusioned Ulster Unionists is very surreal.