Germany’s CBC Migrates Graphics Systems Over to Vizrt Platforms

CBC Cologne Broadcasting Center, part of Media Group RTL Germany, has elected to switch its existing live graphics systems to Vizrt. The transition, which will be phased in starting August 2013, includes new Viz Trio live 3D graphics systems Viz Content Pilot template-based graphics system and Viz Virtual Studio systems for live, immersive 3D virtual sets.  

The new Vizrt graphics technology will be used at CBC’s broadcast and production center, which features several live studios and extensive postproduction facilities, in Cologne, Germany, with additional locations in Berlin and Munich. CBC produces a dozen different TV shows daily, for the Media Group RTL Germany companies, as well as for Media Group’s external production companies. Among others, CBC is responsible for the international production and broadcast of the Bundesliga German soccer league.

Media Group RTL brands reach an audience of approximately 90 million viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  In addition to its free-to-air channels RTL Television, Vox, n-tv and RTL NITRO, the company’s portfolio also includes three digital niche channels: RTL Crime, Passion and RTL Living. For its technical broadcast operations the affiliates RTL II and Super RTL are also run by CBC. Within Media Group RTL Germany there are a number of other important functions fulfilled by the news/magazine company infoNetwork.

n-tv has been using Vizrt real-time graphics technology for many years, well before the decision was made to make it the central system for all CBC’s productions.

“By centralizing graphics templates and production for all our networks and productions CBC expects to realize significant efficiencies,” says Andreas Fleuter, Head of Production, CBC. “We are well acquainted with the quality and reliability of Vizrt systems because n-tv has enjoyed successful experiences with Vizrt.”