The Pho3nix Sub7 and Sub8 Project, Powered by Zwift has set a new standard in long course triathlon broadcast, as four superstars of endurance sport defied the impossible and broke the mythical seven and eight-hour marks for a full distance triathlon.
This was only possible through the partnership between Gravity Media and Mana Sports and Entertainment Group, and a massive production effort that spanned the globe.
The Gravity Media Production Centre in Sydney was a hive of activity, producing over nine hours of live coverage including the live racing bookended with pre-show and post-show content, featuring a host of special guests, pre-recorded content, and technical analysis.
Showcasing Gravity Media’s technical innovation, the broadcast featured a remote IP production controlled from Sydney, Australia, with cameras beaming in from the other side of the world at the Dekra Lausitzring racetrack in Brandenburg, Germany.
To cover the event, more than 20 cameras were used including five motorcycles, polecams, a drone, and a Gyro-head camera Shotover, all sending feeds to two control rooms in Sydney via AviWest bonded technology. Other technology included 20 EVS record ports spread across three XT3 servers linked in the control room, seven SRT return video feeds, three GFX engines, multiple edit suites across Australian and Germany, two dedicated highlight loggers, a full social media team managing all the social content, and all on screen graphics led by Gravity Media Australia’s design team and produced by Girraphic.
A large amount of technical equipment was introduced to the project to facilitate all required comms and video circuits. All the talkback was delivered with Unity communications via bonded devices.
This type of event had not been seen before, and would not have been possible without the production, engineering, and technical effort from all involved in the Australian, French and British Gravity offices.
“Gravity Media has a great reputation globally for not only providing complex technical solutions, but also for our highly credentialed and talented Production team. The Sub7 & Sub8 Project is an example of a cost effective-full, turnkey Production. From working with the client on the initial concept, preproduction, graphic design, crewing… right through to the telecast of the event,” said Saul Shtein, Director of Production & Content at Gravity Media Australia.
“This large production showcased a truly global effort combining Gravity Media expert teams in Australia and France, with equipment from all offices including Germany and UK. Over 90 team members contributed to the great success of this project,” said Mike Purcell, Head of Production and Executive Producer at Gravity Media Australia.
“This event has been a great achievement at every level. Besides the technical achievement which has been brilliantly executed by the technical teams, on a complicated and very advanced set-up, it has also been a great collaboration between the Gravity Media offices across the globe. The athletes pushed their bodies to the limit showing that their achievements and drive have no limits.” said Solene Zavagno, General Manager at Gravity Media France.
“This event was a great opportunity to demonstrate a “proof of concept” and to highlight what can be achieved through experience and innovation. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the event, technically great achievement, everyone involved should be very proud – well done,” said John Newton, CEO of Gravity Media.
Building on a 9.5 hour live broadcast via the Pho3nix Foundation’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, as well as the social channels of Red Bull, BMC and ON Running, the Sub7Sub8 broadcast and associated content has now been seen by over seven million people worldwide, with related social media post engagement a whopping 600% increase from baseline.
