FOXTEL Upfronts 2024

Client: Alfred

Date: 26th October 2023

Venue: Cockatoo Island

No. of guests: 500+

Type of Event: Corporate Showcase and Presentation

Role / Involvement: Show Calling and Show Comms

Supply and Operation of Camera Systems and Media Servers for all screen content and recording.

About the Event:

Foxtel Group’s Upfront 2024 on Cockatoo Island unveiled a slew of returning and new entertainment content for customers to enjoy in 2024.

Australia’s leading media company took over the former shipyard for its presentation for Foxtel, Binge and Kayo content, cementing its slogan as “Australia’s most watchable”.

The network showcased the best of what is to come in the new year, including innovations in audience measurement, ratings data, and carbon impact measurement for ad campaigns, as well as the introduction of the Hubbl platform.

Key highlights of event:

Innovative’s Jeremy Koch was in the captain’s seat for the show with the vital role of Show Caller. Commanding everything from video cues, audio cues, live crosses and even a live band, the show ran smoothly with Jeremy in the hot seat!

This however was no ‘one man show’. The team on this event were operating a vast array of technology that formed the backbone of the show. The main stage was captured using two Panasonic 4K Cameras with the amazing Fujinon 4K 107x Box lenses at the back of the room. Complementing these were two of the stunning Panasonic UE160 4K PTZ robotic cameras mounted up high in heritage trusses of the building. Adding further to array of amazing angles and shots we were able to capture was a Panasonic 4K box camera at the front of stage and 4 Marshall FullHD Micro Cameras in amongst the band. For live crosses on the island, another Panasonic UC4000 was used and also relocated during the show to catch the action from two locations to give the event another layer of action. A total of 9 cameras were used to capture this event, all feeding back to 4K ONE.

Delivering an eye-watering amount of 4K content was our Pandoras Box Servers running version 8 with control and interfaces from Widget Designer. The media server system and the control system were running fully redundant with two completely separate systems in mirror tracking mode. The show was pre-programmed in the warehouse for 5 days prior to coming onsite which made for a far less stressful content management experience once we were on the island.

Bringing all of the technology together and being the heart of the show was 4K ONE, our amazing hybrid broadcast and event control truck. 4K ONE was in its element on this show with the media servers feeding into her along with all 9 cameras. The Ultrix router’s ‘clean switch’ ability meant the switch between main and back up media servers was completely invisible and the new Carbonite UltraScene feature delivered the most incredible live multi camera montage. The final output to the enormous LED screen in the venue was via a single 12G-SDI cable delivering crystal clear vivid dynamic signal!

Last but not least, the audio and show comms were also handled, routed and controlled from 4K ONE. Riedel comms with Panels and Bolero wireless packs were deployed across the event site and this was further integrated with the audio system for IFBs, media server audio playback and camera mics via DANTE and then all sent back to the onsite live audio production company.

It was certainly an includible adventure bring 4K ONE and all the support kit to Cockatoo Island. It was like an overseas adventure that left everyone feeling a great sense of achievement after a fantastic show!