Riedel deploys IP backbone for SailGP New York remote production

The deployment demonstrates the maturity of remote production for high-stakes, environmentally hostile sporting events. By shifting core production to London via Tata’s fiber network, SailGP minimizes its physical footprint while maintaining 'bulletproof' N+1+1 redundancy for safety-critical communications. This model serves as a blueprint for sustainability-focused leagues aiming to reduce on-site personnel and fuel consumption from support vessels. The technical success here, particularly in overcoming Doppler shift at 100 kph, signals that pure IP workflows can handle the most extreme outdoor broadcast conditions. Watch for increasing adoption of 7 GHz spectrum solutions as Riedel attempts to bypass crowded lower frequency bands in urban harbor environments.

The New York event follows a period of rapid technical expansion for the league. Per SVG Europe in November 2024, SailGP added a second remote production gallery at the Ealing Broadcast Centre in London to handle its growing roster of global partners, which now includes TNT Sports and ZDF. This expansion supports a record 14-race calendar for Season 5, utilizing the Oracle Cloud to process approximately 53 billion data points per race day. These analytics drive the 'LiveLine' augmented reality graphics that provide viewers with real-time boat positioning and geo-fenced race boundaries.

Sustainability remains a primary driver for these remote-first engineering choices. According to SailGP’s 2025 Purpose and Impact Report, the league achieved a 42% reduction in business travel emissions by centralizing its broadcast operations. The transition from physical chase boats to shore-based coaching via Riedel's SimplyLive RefBox contributed to a total fuel saving of over 157,000 liters across the season. This shift aligns with the league's stated goal of achieving a 50% carbon footprint reduction by 2030 from its 2024 baseline.

On the hardware front, Riedel continues to iterate on the specific equipment used for such environments. At IBC 2025, the company introduced the Bolero Mini, a 165-gram beltpack designed for smaller form factors, and the Virtual SmartPanel, which allows remote personnel to access the Artist intercom ecosystem via standard mobile devices. These software-defined advancements, combined with the 2026 acquisition of ARRI by Riedel’s founder, suggest a move toward deeper integration of lighting, camera, and communication stacks within a single IP-native ecosystem.