News entreprises
120 technicians, 50 cameras, and cutting-edge technology deployed for live broadcast to a global audience.
BCE (Broadcasting Center Europe) and RTL played a pivotal role in delivering live coverage of Pope Francis' official visit to Luxembourg, reaching local and international audiences. This historic event, entrusted to BCE and RTL by the Service d'Information et de Presse (SIP), was a technical feat that showcased the power of collaboration and advanced broadcast technology.
Since the previous Sunday, BCE teams have been installing state-of-the-art infrastructure at key locations throughout Luxembourg City, including the airport, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Palais Grand-Ducal, Cercle Cité, and central city streets. This setup ensured a seamless broadcast experience for viewers across the globe.
On the day of the visit, a team of 120 technicians and operators, supported by 50 strategically placed cameras, captured every moment. BCE deployed its comprehensive production capabilities, including Outside Broadcast (OB) vans and Satellite News Gathering (SNG) vehicles, all integrated with BCE’s Playout over IP broadcast center. This allowed for live streaming on RTL Lëtzebuerg TV and website, with global distribution via the European Broadcast Union (EBU).
Tom Weber, RTL's Technical Director, acknowledged the technical challenges of coordinating live broadcasts across multiple locations but expressed confidence in the expertise of the BCE and RTL teams. “Ensuring real-time transmission from various sites is always a challenge, but our teams’ coordination made it possible to provide uninterrupted coverage,” Weber said. Christian Fischer, Director of the live broadcast, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the production complexity paralleled other major state events, including Grand Duke Jean's accession and funeral ceremonies.
To enhance the visual quality, BCE implemented advanced lighting solutions at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, including specialized balloon lights that captured the intricate details of the proceedings.
Xavier Thillen, Head of Production and Digital Media Operations at BCE, remarked, “This project was a massive technical undertaking, but our teams executed flawlessly. Collaborating with RTL and leveraging our vast experience in large-scale live events enabled us to deliver a world-class broadcast.”
In a first for Luxembourg, BCE introduced a centralized production model based at Place Guillaume II, where signals from the 50 cameras, spread across key locations, were transmitted via fiber optic networks to BCE’s mobile broadcast unit. This efficient setup optimized team synergies and ensured the highest production standards.
For added redundancy, main camera feeds were simultaneously transmitted over 5G networks using the StreamHub platform, which provided a reliable backup for live video transmission in case of fiber optic failure. The 5G connection, supported by Post and Tango, ensured that broadcast continuity was maintained.
Strategic partnerships with leading local companies were key to the success of this large-scale event. BCE and RTL were supported by Free Lens TV Sàrl, PRO MUSIK Sàrl, Codex Events S.A., Luxconnect & Post Luxembourg, Foodclan and Amplitude, alongside their production partner, TV Skyline GmbH. These collaborations brought together a wealth of expertise to meet the demands of this high-profile production.
BCE also managed various multimedia services, including international TV and radio signal production, a media center, global satellite distribution via Eurovision and ENEX, and multi-language streaming platforms. Additionally, BCE provided live subtitling for public viewing areas in Luxembourg City, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.
The production scope included capturing key moments such as the Pope’s arrival at Luxembourg Airport, his meetings at the Palais Grand-Ducal, his tour through the city in the popemobile, and his encounter with the Catholic community at Cathédrale Notre-Dame. BCE's centralized production model allowed for real-time signal distribution across all locations, with live feeds broadcast on large screens at the airport’s VIP lounges and public viewing sites across the city.
Global distribution was achieved through Eurovision and ENEX, ensuring that this monumental event was accessible to international broadcasters. BCE's use of 16/9 format HD video and stereo audio ensured that media outlets received the highest quality footage in multiple formats, including ProRes HD and MP4.
Between live ceremonies, beauty shots and highlight reels were produced on-site and transmitted as part of the international feed, allowing viewers to enjoy a comprehensive visual narrative of Pope Francis' visit.
BCE and RTL’s joint efforts ensured that this historic occasion was captured with precision, offering a seamless experience to viewers worldwide.