As one of the largest media companies in the world, Sky is renowned for its broadcasting of sports, news, and entertainment programmes. One of its most watched platforms is Sky News, a channel which broadcasts 24 hours a day and offers viewers constant expert comment and analysis on UK and global events. The channel airs also specific one-off broadcasts, including general election coverage and significant royal events.
To ensure it continued offering the most exciting and immersive viewing experience possible, Sky News recently decided to revamp its flagship show ‘Kay Burley at Breakfast’. This not only involved expanding the show’s running time and introducing several new anchors but also a complete upgrade of the existing news studio; which is also its main journalist hub. Alongside this, the broadcaster decided to upgrade a nearby secondary studio; again, to further audience engagement with its coverage.
Having previously delivered the integration of the AR and VR technology within the award-winning Sky Sports’ MNF Studio, White Light (WL), a d&b solutions company, was approached once again to provide full consultancy, technology and integration of both news studio spaces. This included working with leading manufacturers CreateLED and Brompton Technology to create a completely bespoke solution that was deployed for the first time in a UK broadcast environment.
Working closely with Sky News’ Creative Team, there were several objectives that WL had to achieve with this project. For the Sky News Studio, the main LED video screen not only required a complete upgrade but the set-up had to allow for multiple camera angles as well as avoid moiré on screen. The team also had to incorporate the news studio as a backdrop to on-screen presentations outside of the main presentation area, for both Kay Burley at Breakfast as well as other live links throughout the day. For the secondary news space, WL was tasked with covering up the unsightly building columns by integrating LED screens to create “totems” that Sky News could use as a canvas to showcase their new branding and create a more dynamic aesthetic.
Following several site visits to the Westminster-based studios, WL also uncovered several challenges with the previous studio designs. A lack of physical space within the main studio meant they were unable to perform close up shots, hence limiting the amount of dynamic content that could be created. Similarly, the closeness of the cameras to the LED walls within the studio created a moiré effect and there was a colour imbalance that was visible on camera. All of this WL had to take into consideration as it devised a robust technical solution for both spaces.
To find the technology most suited to fulfil the project’s brief, WL organised an on-site demonstration with several state-of-the-art products. They ultimately decided to draw on the chip-on-board flip-chip CreateLED Air Pitch LED screen, given how the product’s extensively wide colour angle creates a stable colour between the screens. However, to truly offer Sky News the exact technical solutions they required, the WL team actually worked closely with CreateLED to develop the product further and ensure it fulfilled all aspects of the specific brief. This saw them bring in LED processing experts Brompton Technology and, together, they ensured the calibration of the product on the advanced processing would give Sky News a future proof system, enabling them to use front plate graphics and overlays with the cameras. As such, this is the first flip-chip product of Brompton Technology with CreatedLED and also marks the first time it has ever been used in a broadcast environment in the UK– making the News Studio a pioneer of the latest broadcasting technology.
Within the News Studio, WL drew on the bespoke-made CreateLED Air 1.5mm Pitch for the Anchor Desk; which is an ultra-high-definition anchor desk application involving the box shell consisting of thermal-conducting silicon for heat dissipation. This dissipation assists in the long hours of repetitive, power-consuming studio operations; a necessity for a studio of this nature. For the Main Studio LED Wall, WL drew on the CreateLED Air 1.2mm, which is smaller in size than the 1.5 but has the same specifications and a higher pixel/m² density by 230,400 pixels – the highest of the AirTV-Pro range. This density is vital for the main studio wall as it means little to no pattern formation whenever there is graphical or chart analysis, improving viewers’ experience due to the enhanced image quality and removing the previous moiré visible on screen.
The processing for the studio is achieved via Brompton Tessera software. Featuring an abundance of power and control, the processors allow for simplified control of large 4K LED screens and the 250fps give the smooth synchronised visuals between screen and camera; whilst the camera pans in and out. This is achieved by the frame remapping feature, which enables cameras to shoot from different angles whilst maintaining the same perspective as the main camera and without destroying the illusion that it’s on a stage environment. This seamless recalibration of the LED panels on-screen, in real-time during live broadcasting is something that has never been seen before outside of America.
The studio space is also configured with capabilities of futuristic broadcasting dynamics, including wireless camera tracking systems and interactive lighting systems to create realistic virtual environments, to potentially create more programmes.
In the secondary news space, for the graphic totems, WL drew on Unilumin Columns. With a 4K display quality, the 120Hz frame rate, paired with ultra-low reflectance and UMicro, allows for true colour presentation. Similarly, the Unilumins support clear visibility when directly illuminated by bright lights, operating on 5G with fast data transmission and are suited for long periods of high-performance operations.
Novastar Processing is used for the columns, given this is a video converter processor with a unified controller enabling the integration of LED screen configuration, video processing and video controlling. It can also support up to 10,400,000 pixels in 4K Ultra HD of sharp imagery upon various angles and focus zooms, whilst remaining unaffected by bright lighting in the studio.
Reiterating WL’s commitment to Sky News and its vision to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, the WL Technical Service team will be on-hand moving forward to assist the broadcaster with any studio upgrades or further modifications to its existing set-up.
The studio refresh debuted with the broadcast of Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that airs every Sunday morning. The results have been transformative, with the channel’s visuals offering a more immersive and contemporary feel, given how graphics, charts and live interviews are now seamlessly incorporated into the studio settings. The upgrade has allowed more flexibility in the use of the various spaces, especially in the main presentation areas as they are now able to fully utilise the LED surround. Similarly, the colour calibration and moiré is no longer an issue and in the secondary space, the pillars which previously limited shoot angles are now an incorporated part of the set, embodying the revamped look and feel.
The revamp has also achieved a primary aims of increased audience interaction. During the recent Sky News General Election coverage, the channel saw an incredible 29% uplift in TV viewership share compared to 2019 as well as a peak of 2.5 million viewers – an unprecedented viewing statistic for a news channel.
In terms of longevity and future-proofing the studios, the project has also allowed Sky to achieve a new workflow with unlimited broadcast potential. With the flip-chip COB and CreateLED panels, Sky can now leverage this solution to optimise on-frame remapping and introduce immersive broadcasting on social media, allowing for the workflow to incorporate interactive motion graphics.
Ultimately, this project marks yet another example of WL using its expertise, experience and strong relationships with leading manufacturers to create bespoke solutions for its clients; ones that they wouldn’t find anywhere else. The revamp of Sky Studios features cutting-edge technology that has never be seen before on UK screens; making the channel both a pioneer of broadcast innovation and in a league above their leading competitors.
CreateLED Air 1.5mm Pitch Screen
CreateLED Air 1.2mm Pitch Wall
Unilumin Columns
Novastar Processing
Brompton Tessera