Riedel Score At The Eurovision Song Contest

More than 120 million viewers worldwide witnessed an exciting and entertaining event with the 55th Eurovision song contest that took place in the Telenor Arena Oslo on May 29th.
Large live television events such as the Eurovision Song Contest need special considerations for their event and broadcast installations. Usually this means several separate systems, lots of cabling and plenty of work.
This year the Norwegian Broadcast Corporation NRK used an extensive installation from Riedel Communications to handle this enormous event. Riedel's MediorNet technology combined and integrated the various parts of the event's infrastructure such as cameras, intercom and lighting into one single communications and signal distribution backbone. The system transported a combination of Riedel MediorNet, Artist digital matrix intercom, Performer digital partyline intercom, as well as the RockNet digital audio network.
A total of 13 MediorNet Frames were used at the mega event in Oslo. The frames routed and distributed the 25 HD and SD video signals as well as intercom data between the on-site master control room, the FOH, the commentary booth, the PA, the stage, the press centre and the dressing room area. Various Artist control panels that were directly connected to the MediorNet installation could be easily routed and addressed within the MediorNet installation.
An extensive Artist digital matrix intercom system provided the communications backbone of the event integrating the NRK and the OB Team HD broadcast trucks, the master control room, the on-site event director room and the FOH into one single system. The remote Artist installation NRK master control room that was situated in the NRK broadcast centre was integrated via a VoIP connection. The whole Artist installation was interfaced to the MediorNet installation via a MADI link. This ensured that all panels could be directly routed and accessed via the MediorNet installation.
To provide communication to the special cameras and the follow spots NRK used a separate Riedel Performer digital partyline intercom installation with 26 Performer Beltpacks, also integrated via MediorNet. Thanks to MediorNet's ability to transport and route intercom data, the Performer installation could be easily integrated into the larger communications infrastructure.
The sizeable Riedel RockNet installation combined the playout, the split area, the roof and the catwalk into a single digital audio network. Ten microphone/line input modules and 13 line output modules transported all ambient microphones, the intercom lines to the IEM transmitters plus the backup line for play out over a redundant CAT-5 ring.
In addition, Riedel furnished a mobile radio network to integrate 300 professional mobile radios on-site.
(BMcN/GK)