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BBC Outside Broadcasts captures Glastonbury 2005

BBC Outside Broadcasts is providing extensive coverage for Glastonbury 2005, the UK’s biggest music festival. Working with BBC Music Entertainment and Glastonbury Festivals, it will support domestic live coverage on BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four, plus international coverage on Japanese NHK and an American channel. There will also be two interactive streams.

Four stages at the festival are being captured by BBC Outside Broadcasts; the Pyramid stage, the Other stage, the John Peel stage and the Jazz stage. For the first time two stages will be acquired in High-Definition for international broadcasters and to support worldwide DVD sales. It is the first time the Other stage has been captured in HD and the second year for the Pyramid stage, which will feature Cold Play, Kaiser Chiefs and Basement Jaxx.

BBC Outside Broadcasts is using its multi-format truck - Unit 2 to capture the Other stage. The truck has dual systems and can be used for HD or SD productions, or for simultaneous production in both standards. A further HD production unit, which like Unit 2 uses Sony HD cameras, will be hired in from Belgium to capture the Pyramid stage. BBC Outside Broadcasts crew will staff both vehicles.

In addition, BBC Outside Broadcasts’ is using its recent addition to the fleet – Link 21 to provide the main hub for transmission, uplinking pictures live from the festival back to Television Centre for play out on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three. BBC Outside Broadcasts’ R16 unit will capture and uplink pictures for transmission for BBC Four.
BBC Outside Broadcasts is working in partnership with BBC Radio to carry out sound production and will be using its dedicated sound truck – Mastersound, for high-end sound production, to cover the Jazz stage.

Peter Taylor, Engineering Manager, BBC Outside Broadcasts says: “The breadth of the BBC Outside Broadcasts fleet at Glastonbury is diverse – from a single camera offering through to full operation, presentation and transmission facilities. Glastonbury and Wimbledon overlap and we’re unique in being able to deliver coverage of two prestigious, international live events simultaneously. Wimbledon alone involves 3 production units, 2 recording units and 53 cameras!”

Dawn Davis, Production Manager, BBC Music Entertainment says: “Glastonbury production grows with each year and we are now producing over 60 hours of live Television over 3 days. We work hand in hand with BBC Outside Broadcasts and they are an important part of the planning process.”

Dawn continues: “They have a core team that return year in year out, even the riggers who end up literally caked in mud from head to foot. The moment the convoy of OB units arrives on site makes me realise the enormity of the job and how much we achieve. It is very much a team effort and every member of the team plays a vital role.”

Eight BBC Outside Broadcasts trucks will be used in total:
• Unit 2 – HD/SD capture of the Other
• Unit 8 – coverage for interactive streams
• Unit 10 – coverage for BBC Two presentation
• Unit 11 – coverage for BBC Three presentation
• Unit 25 - will cover the John Peel stage on Friday and the Jazz stage on Saturday and Sunday
• R16 – coverage for BBC Four presentation and uplinking
• Link 21 – Uplinking for domestic broadcast for BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three
• MasterSound – highend sound production of Jazz stage

36 cameras will be used in total:
• 10 cameras will cover the Pyramid stage
• 8 cameras will cover the Other stage
• 6 cameras will cover the John Peel stage/Jazz stage
• 5 cameras will be used for BBC Two presentation
• 4 cameras will be used for BBC Three presentation
• 3 cameras will be used for BBC Four presentation

Coverage will be further enhanced through the use of two remote radio camera operations and a Heli-tele.

Live coverage of Glastonbury 2005 will be transmitted on BBC Two, Three and Four between 24-26 June 2005.

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