Broadcasting live events on a shoestring budget with poor connectivity used to be near-impossible.
CAPA II changes that. The key insight: interoperability and vendor-agnosticism are proving just as crucial as technological innovation.
For IBC24, the “Connect and Produce Anywhere – Phase II” (CAPA II) Accelerator Programme provided the perfect platform to explore how interoperability can transform live production. TSL was proud to be at the forefront of delivering vendor-agnostic control for live demos with champions including BBC, Channel 4, BT Media & Broadcast, Sky, EBU, Vodafone Group, TV2 , and other leading industry vendors.
Here are some reflections and insights from the project.
Solving Interoperability
The CAPA II project set out to achieve three goals to transform live event broadcasting:
> Deploying scalable cloud-edge workflows,
> addressing connectivity constraints,
> and enabling production teams to work seamlessly from any location.
These aims were realised through successful demonstrations of remote production powered by edge computing, the adoption of efficient containerised applications, and real-world validation with live TV content production at live sports events like Formula E.
For TSL, this was an opportunity to showcase how our containerisable hybrid workflows are bridging the gap between legacy systems and the scalable, flexible workflows of the future.
While the industry continues its journey toward fully remote production – with only cameras and microphones on-site – current global internet infrastructure makes that vision a long-term goal. In the meantime, our solutions offer a practical, innovative approach to the challenges broadcasters face today.
At TSL, we pride ourselves on being vendor-neutral and customer-focused. Our participation in the CAPA Phase II project demonstrated our ability to adapt to the unique demands of live event production. We’ve shown broadcasters how they can innovate without compromising on quality, efficiency, or reliability.
From hardware push-button control panels to virtual touchscreen interfaces, and automated workflows, our tools enable broadcasters to easily integrate systems.
> Innovating for Constrained Connectivity
Beyond interoperability, another significant challenge lies in broadcasting smaller-scale events in locations with weak internet connectivity. Traditionally, these scenarios require large production trucks filled with proprietary hardware, a solution that is expensive, resource-intensive and logistically complex.
The containerised approach changes the game.
By processing heavy data workloads on-site with COTS (common off-the-shelf) servers, we eliminate the need for full reliance on remote connections.
This local processing method enables broadcasters to maintain production quality and low latency even in challenging environments. It’s a solution perfectly suited for smaller events, such as regional sports tournaments, where deploying a full-scale production setup isn’t viable.
> Driving Sustainability (with less actual driving…)
One of the most exciting outcomes of our work in the CAPA II project is how it contributes to a more sustainable broadcasting model. For example, in a demo with Formula E, we demonstrated a live production setup that consumed less power than a domestic kettle.
This shift to compact, energy-efficient systems dramatically reduces the environmental impact of live production.
Smaller setups mean fewer operators and engineers travelling to locations, (and more being able to work comfortably from their home or office environment), reduced shipping needs, and less reliance on energy-intensive equipment.
These efficiencies lower costs and match the growing demand for greener production practices and ever-increasing consumer appetite for content. This technology opens new opportunities to cover events that were previously financially or logistically unviable, enabling broadcasters to bring more diverse content to their audiences.
> Doing more with less will transform our industry
Are you planning your next live event in a location with challenging connectivity or looking to simplify complex workflows?
Whether it’s a niche sport or a large-scale production, TSL has the tools and expertise to help you deliver seamless results.
