Live interview for BBC HARDtalk with Radosław Sikorski – LiveU LU800 in Warsaw
On 25 January 2024 we provided a live interview position in Warsaw for BBC HARDtalk: an interview with Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, sent live to the BBC studio in London over our LiveU LU800. The BBC booked the camera, the transmitter and the on-site crew from us – no need to fly a team in from London.
At a glance
| Event | Live interview for BBC HARDtalk, Warsaw, 25 January 2024 |
| Client | BBC |
| Guest | Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland |
| Transmission | LiveU LU800 paired with the BBC’s LiveU server in London |
| Camera | JVC GY-HC900 |
| Return audio (IFB) | over the LiveU return channel, phone line as backup |
| On air | 14:50–15:40 GMT window, interview ran for most of the slot |
The brief
The BBC needed a complete live interview position in Warsaw: camera, transmitter and crew. The guest had to hear the presenter in London, so a reliable return audio feed was as important as the picture.
How we did it
- Pairing with the BBC – we sent the serial number of our LU800 and the BBC added it to its LiveU inventory, so the signal went straight to the BBC’s servers.
- Return audio (IFB) – questions from the studio came back over the LiveU return channel to the guest’s earpiece, with a phone line to the BBC control room as backup.
- Test with London – two days before the interview we ran a picture and IFB test with the BBC MCR – successful.
- Flexible scheduling – the date moved twice within a few days as the guest’s diary changed; kit and crew were ready for every option.
- On the day – the transmitter was online well ahead of the slot and the interview ran for almost the whole window.
What this means for your newsroom
If you need a live shot from Poland, you don’t have to send a crew or kit. We provide the camera, a LiveU unit paired with your newsroom’s LiveU server, Polish SIM cards and an English-speaking crew. See LiveU and Aviwest with a technician and LiveU rental in Poland (equipment only).
FAQ
Can you pair your LiveU with our newsroom’s server? Yes. We send you the unit’s serial number and your engineers add it to your LiveU inventory, as the BBC did.
Will the guest hear the studio? Yes. Return audio (IFB) comes over the LiveU return channel, with a phone line to your control room as backup.
Does the crew speak English? Yes. All coordination with your newsroom and control room is in English.
Where in Poland can you do live shots? Anywhere in Poland – we are based in Katowice and regularly work in Warsaw.
Planning a live shot from Poland?
Marcin Prause – phone +48 792 772 873, marcin@prause.pl. See more case studies.