
Brit Row's Virtual Live Audience platform brings back fan interaction posted: 05/12/2020
Created in conjunction with parent company Clair Global, Britannia Row Production's Virtual Live Audience (VLA) platform represents the latest in interactional and remote entertainment experiences.
Like video conferencing, music fans and TV audience members utilise a propriety browser-based video platform to experience a live performance or be part of a TV filming production - from the comfort of their home. However, the VLA experience has been created with real time engagement in mind. The VLA system allows for the performance artist or TV host / panellists to both interact and reconnect with confidence during Covid-19 audience restrictions.
Viewers at home also benefit from multi-camera broadcast feeds and can watch the entertainment remotely while feeling as if they have a front row ticket.
In contrast, the talent on stage will experience an immersive production, allowing for authentic fan engagement to finally make a return.
A key selling point of the VLAs is that viewers log on instantly. With no need to download an app, the audience simply logs on via their laptop, tablet or phone browser, requiring an internet connection only. The system generates unique URLs that can only be used once.
The Moderator Panel, a feature built into the original software allows the moderator to view in Live Grid and Waiting Room Grid mode, assigning users to different locations and controlling their microphone for a smooth workflow.
The VLA system can also be provided as an audio only system, allowing for real time laughter to be captured for pre-recorded productions.
Brit Row's Josh Lloyd and SurfHire's Simon Hodge are leading the VLA project in the UK.
Lloyd comments: VLA is a propriety system born out of the need to reconnect artists with audiences. As a platform, it's based around top-quality audio and video. Many companies are using video conferencing systems for this kind of technology; however, they aren't designed for live event experiences, instead they've been manipulated to fit a need during the Coronavirus crisis. VLA is a product specifically designed by audio and comms specialists for as good a concert or TV show experience the available technology can facilitate while we're still unable to have people in a venue.
The VLA system has been built from the ground up, the software platform was written by the team at Clair Global in Lititz, PA, and offers a bespoke and flexible approach in terms of how the group of companies can deliver video and audio to the client.
The audio and picture quality is much higher than we've been used to hearing and seeing over the last few months, says Hodge, whose comms company SurfHire was acquired by Britannia Row in 2019.
We can pull the audio out as an audience mix and take it out into different zones, furthers Lloyd. If an artist wats to pick out a member of the crowd, we can solo their microphone and they can interact with the person calling in.
Graham Norton's Red Chair segment is a good example of how that can work. We singled out the audience member to tell their story, and Graham could talk to them just as he did pre-Covid.
It was worth waiting for, it's a superior tool, says Hodge. These are still strange times for everybody, and the industry continues to provide learning curves, yet we are now able to offer a service with very low latency (as low as 200 milliseconds depending on the end users internet connection) and real time interactivity.
Productions to have utilised the VLA system to date include The Ellen Show, The Voice and Metallica's recent live charity stream in the US for their All Within My Hands Foundation. Forbes magazine noted Yes, though the show was virtual, there was a crowd of VIPs who paid more to help the foundation on the wall who got to talk to the band virtually . getting this level of intimacy with stadium headliners was way more special and unique than any song. And it showed why the live streams can work going forward, by bringing artists and fans together in new ways.
While in the UK, The Graham Norton Show, Have I Got News For You and various sitcoms have come on board.
The Graham Norton Show was actually Graham's first time back in the studio after he had been presenting from home, explains Lloyd. The idea was that he'd return to the studio with a socially distanced audience. However, lockdown 2.0 came into action and VLA was needed quickly. This really shows how fast everything is changing and how urgently technology is needed to adapt when creating new entertainment.
We are very keen to use this technology with artists in the UK, expands Hodge. Whatever the future holds for live events, there's every chance that it's not going to be the same as it was. You have to adapt to be successful, and we're lucky that we're in a position to share this kind of technological innovation across continents.
We don't know exactly what an audience will look like in 2021 or 2022, concludes Lloyd. Could this platform augment touring with a socially distanced audience? Could it be used alongside the audience to generate revenue, turn a profit and pay for production as needed? Will it help people who are still unable to come to a show if they're shielding long term? The answer is yes, if it's needed.
Britannia Row Productions was formed in 1975. Throughout an illustrious, decade-spanning history, the audio specialist has supplied state-of-the-art sound systems for major artists like Pink Floyd, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Oasis, Robbie Williams, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Sam Smith, to name but a few. In 2017, Britannia Row Productions was acquired by Clair Global, following a
Most recent headlines
13/03/2025
TAG Video Systems and Harmonic Partner to Deliver Enhanced Real-Time Monitoring ...
13/03/2025
DigitalGlue Invites NAB Visitors to Experience New Features in Managed Storage P...
13/03/2025
FOR-A America Theme - Connecting the Present, Building the Future - Comes to Lif...
13/03/2025
CTIA, the wireless industry association, has named former FCC Chairman Aji Pai as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. He replaces Mere...
13/03/2025
he National Association of Broadcasters is urging the FCC to end its investigation of that controversial CBS interview with Kamala Harris stating there is no ...
13/03/2025
MIAMI CBS News & Stations continues to expand its use of augmented and virtual reality technologies with the planned launch of an augmented reality/virtual real...
13/03/2025
Srividhya Srinivasan, co-founder and chief customer success & innovation Officer at Amagi, tells TVBEurope how staying ahead of the latest trends is essential f...
13/03/2025
WASHINGTON FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency has launched a massive, new deregulatory initiative that could potentially subject virtually all ...
13/03/2025
SUNNYVALE, Calif. SDVI has announced that it has integrated its Rally media supply chain management platform with the Spectra Vail multi-cloud data management s...
13/03/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver of its local ownership rules to permit Gray Media to acqu...
13/03/2025
TV Tech: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
13/03/2025
Watch Student Naomi Soleils Folk Pop Performance on The Voice The songwriting major sang Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals during the blind auditions.
...
13/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
By combining T-Mobile's robust network, Thal...
13/03/2025
Bundle up - GeForce NOW is bringing a flurry of Blizzard titles to its ever-expanding library.
Prepare to weather epic gameplay in the cloud, tackling the genr...
13/03/2025
AI is leveling up the world's most beloved games, as the latest advancements...
13/03/2025
PC game modding is massive, with over 5 billion mods downloaded annually. Mods p...
12/03/2025
O Spotify acaba de lan ar o relat rio Loud & Clear deste ano, uma vis o transpar...
12/03/2025
Spotify acaba de presentar el informe Loud & Clear de este a o, una mirada trans...
12/03/2025
Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience thi...
12/03/2025
Spotify has just unveiled this year's Loud & Clear report, a transparent loo...
12/03/2025
More than 70% of FAST programming has been produced since 2010, according to new Gracenote report
NEW YORK March 12, 2025 Gracenote, the content data busin...
12/03/2025
GEONA, Nev. Independent digital and linear advertising rep firm Viamedia will adopt cloud-based ShowSeeker Pilot as its primary ad campaign and order management...
12/03/2025
BRUSSELS Mediagenix has announced that Wael Yasin has joined the company as sales director Central Europe....
12/03/2025
LONDON A new study highlights opportunities for shoppable TV and the massive impact online consumer spending is having on the economy, with Omdia predicting tha...
12/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. Interra Systems has announced that Comcast Technology Solutions has integrated recent updates to BATON Version 9 into its operations....
12/03/2025
Nevion announces new 400G addition to its eMerge SDN media fabric offering
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
High-capacity switch enhances existi...
12/03/2025
DaVinci Resolve Studio Delivers Cinematic Sound for Adam Bol
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
Feature film relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio for ...
12/03/2025
SVT Leverages Ateliere Live to Pioneer 100% Software-Defined Production at Rally...
12/03/2025
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Four Organizations A total of $17,000 will be distributed among the Boston-based nonprofits.
By
Madd...
12/03/2025
TVBEuropes Jenny Priestley sits down with new SMPTE president Richard Welsh to discuss his aims for the organisation going forward, its efforts to attract a you...
12/03/2025
The new process has significantly enhanced operational efficiencies, with automation freeing up creators to concentrate on higher value tasks
By Matthew Corrig...
12/03/2025
Jellyfish Pictures, which has offices in London and Sheffield, said it has been battling hard in the face of strong headwinds over the last 12 months
By Jenny ...
12/03/2025
Visit Booth #W2213 to Experience the Latest in AI-Driven Content Discovery and Workflow Automation
Bitcentral, a leader in media workflow solutions, is set to ...
12/03/2025
CHICAGO Jeff Lilly has been named WGN-TV director of technology effective March 17, 2025, according to Ric Harris, WGN-TV vice president and general manager....
12/03/2025
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. A new study from LG Ad Solutions indicates that consumers want more features that would allow them to shop for products on the connected T...
12/03/2025
BOTHELL, Wash. The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and the Video Services Forum (VSF) will once again present...
12/03/2025
PHILADELPHIA Comcast announced that it has upgraded Xfinity Internet speeds for more than 20 million customers for no additional cost....
12/03/2025
Create with Maxon: Cinema 4D Fundamentals Workshop - March 12-14
Brie Clayton March 11, 2025
0 Comments
Makin' Waffles with Elly Wade
During Marc...
12/03/2025
Ottawa, Canada - March 12, 2025 - Ross Video is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Tunnell as Business Development Director, Cloud Solutions, reinforc...
12/03/2025
12 Mar 2025
VEON to release 4Q 2024 trading update on 20 March 2025 Dubai, 12 March 2025 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital operator, today confirms ...
12/03/2025
Getting set for the Winter Olympics: Inside SVT's ongoing software-based pro...
12/03/2025
THE PLAYERS Championship 2025: AI Commentary, Shared-Reality Viewing at COSM, La...
12/03/2025
Seamless SMPTE 2110: A Discussion on Making the Move to IP Less Painful Leaders from Netflix, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, LinkedI, and Megapixel address ...
12/03/2025
Opening Doors of Perception: Meta's Ajit Ninan on Rethinking AR/MR Perceptua...
12/03/2025
With the 2025 Formula 1 season set to begin in Melbourne on March 16, Sky Sports is gearing up to deliver its most comprehensive F1 coverage yet. Following a th...
12/03/2025
Unicanal and Trece TV revolutionize Digital TV in Paraguay with Rohde & Schwarz ...
12/03/2025
Honoring Service, Celebrating Sport: Rohde & Schwarz UK Sponsors NavyFit Rugby D...
12/03/2025
New HVS-Q12 Represents a Quantum Leap in Switcher Design...
12/03/2025
Telespazio and ABS Expand Partnership to Deliver Tailored C-Band Connectivity So...
12/03/2025
ABC conducts independent audits across the TAG programs. In the March 2025 TAG s...