MUMBAI: To fully immerse sailing fans in the world’s biggest offshore yacht race, production company, Optical Media turned to LiveU’s On-site Production solution to provide live streamed coverage of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Starting in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, on 26th July and finishing in Cherbourg, France, after rounding the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland, the 2025 biennial event marked its Centenary year and saw more boats participating than ever before. Building on the successful broadcast of the start of the race in 2023, Optical Media further extended its use of LiveU’s live production solutions with the addition of LiveU IQ (LIQ™) to deliver the best available cellular connectivity in this most challenging environment.
In order to fully capture the excitement as the 3,000 sailors prepared to take on this immense endeavour, Optical Media produced a 15-minute build-up show. The team then live streamed the start of each class, showing the many challenges the crews have to manage, as these huge boats jostle to get the best position at the Royal Yacht Squadron start line – without colliding or accruing a two-hour penalty for setting sail too early. Coverage of the race was broadcast live to the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s YouTube channel and to two European broadcasters.
Optical Media deployed several LiveU LU600 units to live stream in 4K including one on a high-speed RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) equipped with a specialised stabilised camera system. The RIB followed the fleet as they powered across the Solent delivering close-up footage of crews pushing to secure prime positions. LiveU’s LIQ, which dynamically and intelligently switches mobile network operators to provide the highest performing set of cellular connections available, was used on the RIB to ensure a reliable signal would be maintained in these most demanding circumstances chasing the fleet at up to 15-20 knots.
Optical Media director James Light says, “We certainly never lost the connection on the RIB. I think the LIQ service is very strong and to put it in these challenging conditions proves to me that it really works. It was able to identify whatever key network was there and present it the whole time. I think part of the success this year must go down to LIQ’s capability to react in real-time to changes in network conditions. It’s a weather-proof solution that gives you the best set of options.”
To complement this dynamic coverage, a second LiveU unit was strategically placed at Egypt Point, which is a pivotal vantage near to the start line, while a third unit provided elevated shots from a hilltop framed with the picturesque Hurst Castle in the background.
Optical Media also used LiveU’s LU-Link, which enables a plug-and-play cloud service as part of LiveU’s on-site production solution. LU-Link eliminates the need for a custom firewall configuration, enabling the LiveU server to be hosted seamlessly on an unmanaged network. Light adds, “It’s like magic. Using LU-Link we can plug into any network, we just pop the rack in the OB van, which is parked next to the Royal Squadron Building, and off we go. It just works.”
For the first time Optical Media deployed LiveU’s Audio Connect intercom system.
Light explains, “The team could plug in their headphone ports connected via a jack extender onboard the RIB, at Egypt Point and Hurst Castle and they were able to hear crystal clear director comms in real-time. There was no messing around with phones or other more complicated audio systems, which was critical for me. It was a big help and I certainly wouldn’t do this project without it in future.”
He concludes, “I believe our methodology as a production business is to find the best available tools for the job in hand, based on a range of factors including budget, complexity and scenario. Together with the LiveU team we find solutions that work in challenging environments so that we can bring viewers closer to the action. LiveU opens opportunities for us to talk to clients about how we can tell stories in different ways.”
LiveU sales director for UK Matthew Stringer adds, “This project is one of the more challenging real-world deployments of LiveU IQ, which demonstrated the unmatched power and real-time network diversity LIQ can deliver. Live streaming from the Solent is notoriously challenging due to network conditions, yet LIQ delivered a rock-solid signal throughout. The Rolex Fastnet Race is a prestigious event and by working closely with James and his team, we ensured they had simple plug-and-play LiveU production tools that maximize both productivity and creative freedom no matter how difficult the conditions.”
