NEP Group integrates Riedel SimplyLive Suite to expand modular live production

Broadcast production is shifting from fixed 'rack-and-stack' hardware to software-defined, COTS-based infrastructure. By integrating Riedel’s SimplyLive, NEP provides rights holders with a high-performance replay and switching alternative that can be spun up on demand, reducing the physical footprint of remote productions. This move strengthens NEP's position against proprietary hardware vendors by fostering an open ecosystem where software components from specialists like Riedel are interoperable with NEP's broader control plane. Watch for how this integration impacts EVS dominance in the replay market, particularly as modular cloud-native suites gain adoption in Tier 1 sports.

The integration follows the significant commercial launch of NEP Platform in March 2026, which the company designed to unify multi-vendor applications from Sony, Grass Valley, and Panasonic into a single orchestration layer. According to NEP, the platform allows technical teams to deploy entire production workflows in roughly 45 minutes, a major efficiency gain over traditional mobile unit setups. This software-first strategy is being rolled out across NEP’s global fleet, including its new IP-based mobile units in Australia and Norway, per Broadcast Sport, March 2026.

Riedel’s inclusion in the ecosystem comes amid a steady expansion of its SimplyLive portfolio. In July 2026, Riedel announced a partnership with SKAARHOJ to add tactile hardware panel support to the SimplyLive Suite, responding to operator demand for physical control surfaces in fast-paced live environments. This followed the 2025 introduction of the Flex licensing program, which shifted Riedel's software to a pay-as-you-go model, aligning with the industry's move toward OpEx-based production budgets.

Broadly, the media services industry is consolidating around hybrid orchestration. Per SVG Europe, April 2026, Riedel’s acquisition of ARRI and its continued investment in simplylive underscore a strategy to provide a 'full-stack' production chain—spanning from cinematic capture to digital distribution. By embedding into third-party orchestration layers like NEP Platform, hardware-centric companies are ensuring their software remains relevant as broadcasters increasingly demand vendor-agnostic environments to avoid technical silos.