French news channel BFMTV extends its collaboration agreement with LiveU

Telephone network video solutions provider LiveU and French 24-hour news channel BFMTV have expanded their collaboration agreement for the use of the LU60 uplink video solution in live broadcasts for news, sports and other high-profile events.

LiveU has announced that French news channel BFMTV has renewed and expanded its agreement with this company specializing in portable video solutions using mobile phone networks, for the use of its flagship LU60 uplink video solution, following a thorough review and evaluation of possible alternatives.

BFMTV, a 24-hour news channel with more than 160 journalists and a motto of “First Live!”, has been using LiveU units for more than two years for daily news briefings and high-profile events, such as the British Royal Wedding in 2011 and the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. More recently, the French broadcaster turned to LiveU to show dynamic content from the New Zealand Rugby World Cup to French viewers while The French national team was advancing towards the final.

Thomas Jumel, head of production at BFMTV, said: "We have used LiveU backpacks in all types of situations, both in France and internationally, as the main means of live transmission and as a backup for OB units. We have deployed the units both in cities and in the countryside, in helicopters, cars, on motorcycles and boats. We also use this technology to send video files, as well as data, as it can provide a fast connection from the field of play to the newsroom. LiveU was the first to offer efficient transmission over mobile telephone networks and are leaders in technology.”

Jumel added: "For the recent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand we looked for a solution that would allow us close contact with the stadiums. LiveU's LU60 technology allowed us to be highly mobile at matches and be the first to react as news broke. We could easily travel to the stadiums with the LiveU backpack and get the images we wanted."

Olivier Attali, Vice President of Sales at LiveU, said: "BFMTV is considered a highly competitive professional news provider, which is constantly innovating. We are very pleased that our mobile-based technology is enabling leading media outlets such as BFMTV to broadcast live video, where previously cost and complexity could limit its use."