Meydan Raceourse, Dubai
Timeline Television, a major provider of outside broadcast, post-production, and studio-based services to all major UK networks, has teamed up with Racecourse Media Group (RMG) to provide a broadcast solution for the world’s richest horse race, the $10m Dubai World Cup.
Timeline facilities and crew will support RMG’s host production, course coverage and client broadcasters’ needs in delivering to audiences around the world.
RMG’s distribution network will see the Dubai World Cup reach over 100 territories worldwide and will be shown live on broadcast channels in Australia, China, Japan, UK, Ireland, France, North America, Caribbean, Russia, Singapore and across MENA as well as reaching all of Eurosport’s 70-plus international territories.
The $10m Dubai World Cup fixture is a nine-race event held annually on the last Saturday in March and, since 2010, from the purpose-built Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
Gallery at Medyan Racecourse, Dubai
The Timeline facility has been installed for the full 20-fixture Meydan racing season and provides upgraded facilities and flexibility with a firm eye on the seamless expansion required to service the season.
The Dubai World Cup operations will include the host facilities plus the Racecourse Media Group world presentation operation on site and facilities for other international broadcasters and racecourse coverage.
The RMG-produced world feed will be fronted by presenters Nick Luck, Angus McNae, Rishi Persad, Oli Bell, Scott Hazleton, Zoe Cadman and the presentation will be enhanced by the use of HEGO touchscreen, which has been flown over from the UK for in-depth pre- and post-race analysis.
Two large galleries are provided; one will produce the world race feed and the second the world studio show live on site.
Key technology includes:
- Snell Sirius Router and Kahuna Vision Mixer to supply the world and event screen feeds
- Axon Cerebrum Control to control routing, associations, tallies and system control including operator touch screens tailored to each operational position.
- Riedel Artist Talkback system
- 10 Radio Cameras on a site wide RF network
- Sony cabled cameras
- EVS XT3 Playback Servers
- Downlinking services at Timeline’s London based Broadcast Centre in Ealing Studios
Complementing the complete facilities refresh that Timeline has brought to the racecourse are some notable inclusions:
- Miniature RF horse Cam allowing post finish live interviews with jockeys
- Hawkeye Smart Replay; a season innovation allowing the stewards full flexibility in reviewing video content for rule infringement.
- ChyronHego Virtual Placement; giving virtual tied to course advertising.
Sony Cabled Camera at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
Daniel McDonnell, Managing Director of Timeline Television, commented:
“Timeline has provided Racecourse Media Group and Meydan Racecourse an accomplished team with strong planning, logistics and relationship building skills. These have delivered a compelling, value for money, technically innovative solution for the season’s racing and its grand finale the Dubai World Cup.
“We thrive on delivering outstanding performance for our clients’ world-class events. Timeline Television started building the facility in October 2015 and had it up and running by the first transmission of the racing season on November 5, 2015, thanks to strong commercial relationships with key suppliers. In under four weeks our teams had designed, shipped and built 6.5 tonnes of equipment providing 10 cameras, four RF cameras and three EVS machines. We have continued to build on this facility to bring this exciting race to the audiences around the world.”
Adam Binns, Director of Broadcasting & Production, added: “Racecourse Media Group is delighted to be working with Meydan, the Dubai Racing Club and Emirates Racing Authority to showcase this breathtaking venue and series of events. Timeline Television was the only choice to provide us with technical facilities and support. They have seamlessly transposed their expertise and operational excellence from Ealing to Dubai, hitting every deadline we have set with confidence and authority.”
Timeline Television has built and run the playout facilities for Racecourse Media Group’s TV channel, Racing UK, in Ealing Studios, West London since 2012.
