CONSULTING
Technology helps journalists tell their stories faster and better than ever before. Having the right gear in the right place helps you stay one step ahead of the competition.
But technology is not solely about the kit. Understanding the pressures of broadcasting from the field is crucial. Guy Pelham has worked with both journalists and technical teams on location and can advise your organisation on the best equipment choices.
Key areas of expertise
All aspects of creating content, uploading and live streaming from location.
Bonding + streaming equipment: Guy Pelham commissioned the first bonding backpack used by the BBC for the UK General Election in 2010. Eight years later, this technology has revolutionised newsgathering worldwide.
Bonding equipment combines multiple SIMs to provide a broadband path fast enough for live video. Modern devices now also bond with wifi, 3/4G, ethernet, VSAT; in fact, just about any kind of IP connection.
Costs have fallen to the point where a wide range of organisations - not just broadcasters - are now using this technology to stream their content.
VSAT (IP via satellite) Guy Pelham pioneered the use of lightweight VSAT satellite dishes in Ku and then in Ka Band for broadcasting, giving journalists and crews a fast and dependable broadband connection in the field for the first time. A flexible and affordable alternative to a traditional satellite truck, especially for IP streaming.
Flyaway and vehicle-mounted satellite dishes: Guy Pelham Media has the industry contacts to source the right equipment for your satellite needs.
BGAN, Thuraya, Iridium: lightweight uploading, streaming and communications from any location worldwide, however remote.
Smartphone working (aka mobile journalism or MoJo): creating, editing, uploading or streaming from a smartphone. MoJo is revolutionising the way journalists work, lowering costs and boosting output for digital news outlets. We offer MoJo courses and equipment advice. For more, click here
Helicopters and drones: Aerial cameras deliver great pictures, whether from conventional helicopters or drones. Guy Pelham ran the news helicopter contract for BBC News and helped pioneer the use of drones for newsgathering. Guy flies his own drone recreationally and can advise on the benefits...and the pitfalls....of these amazing devices.
The challenge of change
Moving to new ways of working is not easy. People are cautious, even fearful, about change.
They may need convincing about new workflows and equipment. Teams may need new skills and careful piloting.
Contact us for advice on managing change in your organisation.
Technology milestones
The first live TV report in Europe via mobile phone, September 28, 2004. Correspondent Russel Hayes went live into BBC Breakfast News from the UK port of Dover. Guy Pelham was a member of the team that delivered this broadcasting first. Sixteen years on, streaming from mobiles is something everyone - not just journalists - takes for granted.
VSAT - the use of lightweight IP dishes for broadcasting - is now commonplace. But BBC News was the first UK news organisation to broadcast live with VSAT, covering major floods in Sheffield, June 2007. Guy Pelham was a key member of the team that pioneered VSAT and produced the first Sheffield broadcasts (see inset above)