5G and wireless video transmission reshape newsgathering in India

In the dynamic landscape of newsgathering, India represents a melting pot of diverse stories, with the country’s political landscape, cultural events, and societal changes providing constantly evolving narratives. As the nation gears up for the 2024 elections, broadcast news teams are embracing innovation to enable them to work more flexibly and efficiently. Two technologies, wireless video transmission, a well-established technology, and the burgeoning 5G roll-out in India, are particularly reshaping the conventional approach to newsgathering.

The shift toward flexibility and efficiency
Traditional outside broadcast (OB) vans used to be the norm for live news coverage, but they came with hefty costs and limited mobility. The adoption of wireless video transmission technology has enabled newsgathering teams to replace the traditional OB units with a far more cost-effective and flexible solution to broadcast high-quality footage from anywhere in the country. With 5G promising faster speeds and greater bandwidth, newsgathering teams can now rely on lightweight, portable 5G field units that transmit high-definition live video and new levels of resiliency using cellular networks. This shift is not just a technological evolution; rather it marks a step change in the ability of news broadcasters to report the big stories as they unfold.

LiveU’s key role in Indian newsgathering
At the forefront of this revolution is LiveU, a pioneer in the field of wireless video transmission technology. LiveU’s field units, in synergy with the 5G roll-out, have become indispensable for newsgathering teams in India. One broadcaster leading the charge is Bharat24, a 24-hour news channel renowned for its innovative approach to content creation. They were the first in India to utilize LiveU’s 5G-native field units provided by LiveU’s partner in India, ARK Infosolutions Pvt. Ltd. “The backpacks are so much cheaper than using OB vans and give us the flexibility to travel wherever and whenever our newsgathering teams need to be,” explains Amit Mittal, Technical Head at Bharat24.

Mittal adds, “The units are lightweight, easy to handle, and no training is required. The technology is the best on the market which means we can use LiveU units to cover important events like the India G20 summit, the recent inauguration of the Ayodhya temple, and the ongoing 2024 elections. We also use multiple units for daily newsgathering, such as Parliamentary sessions, distributing the content via our TV, website, and YouTube channels.”

Unique challenges of Indian elections
Flexibility is crucial in a country as diverse and geographically vast as India and covering major news events demands nimble teams able to navigate complex situations and remote locations. The 2024 Indian elections pose unique challenges for newsgathering teams, exemplified by the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra ‘Unite India Justice March’ led by Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of the Congress party. Spanning a daunting 6,713 kilometers, the 67-day march will pass through 15 states, underscoring the logistical complexities faced by news teams. LiveU’s technology is crucial for broadcasters like Bharat24 in ensuring seamless coverage of such expansive and dynamic events, offering flexibility and mobility to keep pace with them.

Going global with wireless video transmission technology
In addition to domestic events, Bharat24 leverages LiveU for its international news coverage which ranges from Prime Minister Modi’s foreign visits to covering conflict situations. LiveU’s field units enable Bharat24 to report on significant world events with the same efficiency and flexibility as they do at home.

The future of newsgathering in India
As newsgathering teams anticipate the post-election period at home as well as various overseas elections and events in 2024, the outlook for newsgathering in India is set to evolve. LiveU’s role will be pivotal in adapting to new narratives and challenges, ensuring that news teams can continue to provide the public with accurate, timely, and high-quality coverage.

In the ever-evolving landscape of newsgathering, wireless video transmission technology, coupled with India’s 5G roll-out, is redefining the way news is broadcast. The success story of Bharat24, utilizing LiveU’s field units for major events and international coverage, exemplifies the transformative power of these technologies.

The future of newsgathering in India is about empowered journalists, equipped with cutting-edge technology, venturing into the heart of the action, capturing the essence of stories as they unfold and engaging with audiences on both TV and digital platforms. In this dynamic news landscape, the winners will be those who embrace flexibility, agility, and innovation, transforming newsgathering from a logistical challenge into a powerful tool for informing and engaging the nation.