The Challenge
RTL Belgium is a subsidiary of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest broadcasting group operating 68 television channels and 31 radio stations. In the French-speaking part of Belgium, they are the market leader with over two million viewing the TV channels every day and with their radio stations boasting an audience of over 600,000 listeners per day.
RTL Belgium sought to incorporate innovative technologies to its broadcasts that could leverage the opportunities of visual radio, which has the potential to turn radio stations into complete multimedia experiences using features like automated camera switching, music video playout, and graphical overlays.
The Solution
In response, RTL undertook a large visual radio project to revolutionize how they deliver on their radio shows. The goal was to reshape their current radio playout system to enhance how they manage delivery and playout of audio and video simultaneously.
The new visual radio roll-out was implemented into the RTL commercial radio stations in Belgium, starting with Radio Contact and Bel RTL. As part of an AI-driven automated studio system, the broadcaster purchased 27 Sony SRG-X120 pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras to capture high-definition images of presenters and guests in its Brussels-based studios. The discreet, compact Sony cameras installed in RTL’s studios were set up to be fully controlled by the Vislink vPilot Artificial Intelligence-powered studio system. The AI engine acts as a ‘virtual director,’ tracking presenters and studio guests to control the cameras’ movements in real time without the need of camera personnel or director to create a professional multi-camera production.
When RTL have guest speakers or round table discussions, as part of the visual radio experience, it is imperative that they are viewed and their actions and reactions are live streamed as a professional production. To do this effectively, it was traditional to have a camera team and a director in studio to switch between the different on-air talent. However, by using 3-D scanners and AI, in conjunction with the vPilot virtual director, RTL could automatically create professional live productions 24/7 that can be pushed out to their playout server for viewing — all without the need for additional staff.
The Result
RTL Belgium have six studios that they utilize for radio stations and each one will have a different vPilot system configured, ranging from a 3-camera system up to a 12-camera system, all of which will be managed through the power of AI.
Their vPilot installation has been configured to be used without any camera personnel and also allows the talent in the studio to control the cameras through a separate vPanel system. The vPanel also allows the interviewers in the studio to easily add graphics, external streams and insert recorded clips through an easy-to-use interface panel making the whole system totally self-sufficient.
“Almost 20 years ago, RTL Belgium flagship radio was among the first radio to be watched on TV. Basic sets up were used at that time. Today, it has become commonplace. Vislink AI technology will help us to enhance our live video production. Face recognition will transform robotic visual radio into a smooth human-like TV stream.”
Frédéric Bochart, Director of Technology, RTL Belgium
