NEP Connect, previously known as SIS Live, is celebrating a year of providing satellite and fibre solutions to major UK broadcast clients as they bring women’s sports to a growing audience.
The company provided satellite capacity for a host broadcaster at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, where if took from the HBS, both 1080p50 and UHD. The feeds were recorded and routed to both the broadcaster’s HQ in Los Angeles and the studio set-up based out of NEP UK’s UHD OB truck, Aurora, overlooking the Eiffel Tower at Cafe de l’Homme.
NEP also provided standards conversion for the circuits that went directly to transmission at Pico, both in 1080p and UHD, as well as return circuits. Circuits travelled directly to and from LA where the main EVS operation was located, as well as a route via the IBC to allow local switching and redundancy.
The women’s Ashes between England and Australia utilised NEP Connect’s Anylive fibre network that connects 18 UK cricket venues. Coverage of the Netball World Cup in Liverpool was also facilitated by NEP’s Anylive fibre network.
NEP Connect has also won the contract to provide satellite capacity for all matches in the DELO Women’s EHF Champions League, featuring the top handball teams in Europe, from September 2019 to May 2020. NEP Connect’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) based in MediaCityUK will provide satellite service management and proactive service monitoring for these matches.
In addition, NEP has supported 26 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) events around the globe in 2019.
David Meynell, managing director, NEP Connect, said, “It has arguably been the best year yet for mainstream coverage of professional women’s sports, not only significantly raising the profile and perception of these high-level women’s competitions, but also providing fantastic entertainment. NEP Connect is proud to have played a part in bringing coverage of these sports to the screen and we look forward to covering more of these events in the future.”
