NEP Connect Wins Contract To Provide ITV With Environmentally Friendly News Gathering Fleet

Multi-million-pound contract for eco-friendly, battery-powered vehicles gives ITV News market-leading fleet for new hybrid era

London

Leading UK broadcaster, ITV, has selected NEP Connect to provide its next generation of news gathering vehicles for Regional and National ITV News coverage. The five-year, multi-million-pound deal will see NEP Connect supply ITV News with a world-class fleet of eco-friendly, plug-in hybrid vehicles, equipped with interior electronic systems powered by battery, reversing the need for a petrol or diesel generator. These vehicles - built by NEP Connect, part of the NEP Group global network - will be utilised by ITV to cover live breaking regional and national news across the United Kingdom.

Fourteen of the sixteen vehicles in the fleet are plug-in hybrids and will provide up to 35 miles of zero-emission driving, using a 13.6 kWh battery that can be charged with mains electricity. Each vehicle will have two external plug-in charging points to support the vehicle’s zero-emission driving and to charge the onboard battery power system.

In addition to the environmentally sustainable architecture of this innovative fleet, the units will feature NEP Connect’s industry-leading technology, including 3, 4 and 5G bonded mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, and satellite internet systems ensuring high bandwidth connectivity at any location.  

Each vehicle is also designed to offer maximum flexibility for crewing options. All broadcasting systems within each vehicle are fully automated and can be operated by one multi-skilled crew member if necessary, enabling ITV to limit crew numbers, especially as the coronavirus pandemic continues. The fleet will be among the largest of its kind covering breaking news in the world.

This collaborative approach to technical design incorporated several mutually agreed upon environmental objectives and represents a compelling example of both ITV and NEP Connect’s commitment to sustainability as the companies continue their paths toward carbon neutrality.  

“We are thrilled to have secured this significant multi-million, multi-year contract with ITV and to continue our great relationship with them, which goes back many years,” said David Meynell, Managing Director, NEP Connect.

“We are also proud of the final design and the exceptional environmental credentials of this new fleet. We have some fabulous innovative and forward-thinking engineers and that has allowed us to design and agree upon these impressive, highly specified, and environmentally friendly fleet of hybrid vehicles.  In addition, we have agreed that where there is an option of electric or hybrid plug-in vehicles and power for any future projects, we will pursue that option and continue our journey to net zero. We are confident this is the greenest, most eco-friendly fleet in the world for breaking news and we’re really excited to embark in this latest chapter with the exceptional teams at ITV and ITN.”

As a continuation of a long-running collaboration, NEP Connect will be staffing the mobile production vehicles based in Malvern and Manchester, giving ITV further reach to access breaking news across the country. ITV recognises the value in the NEP Connect’s regional teams, with NEP Connect having held bases in these areas for many years, providing further trusted support to the broader news operation.

NEP Connect has provided dedicated satellite news gathering (SNG) services to ITV and ITN since 1993 and together they have covered some of the most dramatic breaking news stories of the 20th and 21st centuries.  The live news coverage provided by NEP Connect has greatly enhanced ITV and ITN news output and this new contract reinforces the excellent relationship between the businesses and the collaborative nature of the partnership.   

“ITV is looking forward to its continued established relationship with NEP in providing a renewed fleet of production live vehicles to serve our Regional and National News services,” said Paul Stevenson, Director of Technology and Technical Operations, ITV News.

“It uses some exciting new technology, and presented live production continues to be a cornerstone of our News service.”

“ITN has been pleased to work closely with ITV and NEP in the design of this next generation of our live production fleet,” said Jon Roberts, ITN’s Director of Technology, Production and Innovation.

“A reliable, easily deployable and well-integrated field presentation solution is a critical capability across our business, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with NEP to deliver on that.”

About NEP Connect

NEP Connect, an NEP Broadcast Services Company, has been delivering critical media content since 1989. The company’s rapidly growing international fibre network, Anylive®, connects over 250 locations including broadcasters, major switching centres, channel aggregators, sports, and entertainment venues.  NEP Connect operates two Network Operation Centres located in the UK, co-located with NEP Connect teleports, which supply extensive satellite facilities to complete the connectivity offering.  The company provides a full range of broadcast services from UHD to low bit rate streaming with data and audio transmission services also available.  This comprehensive fibre and satellite infrastructure forms a cohesive and robust portfolio, broadcasting over 200 hours of live transmissions worldwide every day supporting multiple contracted and occasional use events. Learn more at www.nepconnect.live.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript

No items found.

More Blog Articles

Arjan van Westerloo Appointed President of NEP UK, The Netherlands and Ireland

NEP Group is pleased to announce that Arjan van Westerloo has been appointed President of NEP UK, The Netherlands and Ireland, effective immediately.

read more

NEP Group at the IBC Show 2024: Daily Diary

The IBC Show 2024 opens today, 13 September at the RAI Amsterdam convention centre, a gathering of the industry’s best in content and technology.

read more

A Major Global Sporting Event In Paris; Svg Looks At New Era Of Production, Insights From NEP CEO And Pro Football Support Kicks Off

As the industry enters a new era of production, experts give a behind-the-scenes look at how the world’s largest events are brought to audiences worldwide. Our “in the news” section is a roundup of recent coverage. Read on for what others are saying about our industry-leading broadcast, live events and virtual production services and solutions.

read more

Listen Now: The NEP Crew Call Podcast Episode #1

The NEP Crew Call podcast, highlights the people and the innovations in today’s global media services industry.

read more
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out IconYour Privacy Choices