BMC TV and VIDI partner to manage UK horseracing broadcast network

UK broadcast delivery provider BMC TV has partnered with German technology company VIDI to manage and control its nationwide video contribution and broadcast network using the VIDI Network Management System (NMS).

The agreement, announced at IBC 2025, connects 23 racecourses across the UK to RaceTech’s remote production hub at Raynes Park, enabling high-quality, low-latency coverage of over 1,500 horseracing fixtures each year.

Delivered in partnership with RaceTech, the TRP Racing Network is a fully resilient fibre-based video contribution system. It transports up to 20 camera feeds per venue via JPEG-XS compression at 200Mbps, supports forward and reverse feeds, bonded 4G/5G disaster recovery, and distributes content to multiple broadcast partners.

A key challenge was maintaining uninterrupted video contribution if an outside broadcast (OB) truck could not reach a racecourse. Each site cabinet and the main control room (MCR) are equipped with Evertz’s Scorpion Media Edge platform, transporting video uncompressed via ST2022-6 for lowest latency. In case of a truck delay, the MCR can activate the hardware to send feeds to Raynes Park. The system tracks resource usage, allows bookings in advance, provisions the correct equipment, and provides a simple way to cancel once the truck arrives, preventing conflicts and ensuring efficient bandwidth management.

At the heart of the network, VIDI’s NMS integrates seamlessly with the Scorpion Media Edge platform, providing end-to-end visibility of every feed and empowering operators to detect and resolve issues proactively. The system allows resources to be booked and managed intelligently, ensuring maximum flexibility and operational reliability.

“This project is a perfect example of how close cooperation between technology partners can deliver innovation at scale,” said Jürgen Jahn, Managing Director of VIDI. “With the VIDI NMS, BMC TV gains the visibility, flexibility, and scalability needed to support mission-critical live sports coverage across a complex national network. We are proud to play a role in ensuring millions of viewers enjoy high-quality, reliable coverage of UK horseracing.”

David Meynell, CEO of BMC TV, added: “BMC has a long-standing relationship with VIDI, who already provide key technology for our LMX Live contribution service and online booking system. VIDI has proven its ability to interface with equipment from multiple manufacturers, making them the natural partner for this next-generation project. Together, we are raising the standard for fibre-based broadcast networks in the UK.”

BMC TV is already a connectivity provider for broadcasters including BBC News, BBC Sport, ITV and CBC, and has delivered services for productions such as Strictly Come Dancing, the Tour de France, Wimbledon and the Olympics. Its London-based LMX Connect fibre core provides low-latency access to cloud services and global events, while LMX Live powers critical live-event workflows around the clock.

With VIDI’s NMS, BMC TV and RaceTech now operate a scalable, adaptable broadcast infrastructure that sets new benchmarks for reliability, transparency, and innovation in live sports coverage, according to the company.