Media Links and VIDI Provide Scalable IP Transmission Solution for German Bundesliga Live Production

Media Links Inc. (Kawasaki, Japan) and its European partner VIDI GmbH collaborated to provide a scalable IP transmission solution for the German Bundesliga's IP transmission network, contributing to a large-scale network refresh of broadcasting infrastructure. VIDI completed a major overhaul of broadcasting infrastructure in all 36 stadiums of the German Bundesliga's 1st and 2nd divisions during the 2025 off-season. This project involved a complete update of network connectivity infrastructure and signal conversion systems, fully migrating the league's production environment to the latest IP standards and establishing a next-generation broadcasting platform. The refresh enhanced media transmission and processing capabilities to meet the increasing demand for IP transmission in advanced program production. As a result, an integrated IP network infrastructure was achieved across all stadiums, allowing flexible expansion and operation of both traditional live video signals (baseband) and IP transmission. The core technology for this project is Media Links' Xscend® platform, known for its scalable modular structure and software-defined flexible design, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and adaptable system configurations. High reliability and strong compatibility with VIDI's unique network management system (NMS) were critical factors for its adoption, enabling centralized management and network-wide visibility across all locations for highly efficient operations. John Dale, CMO of Media Links, stated that the project demonstrates new possibilities for large-scale live IP production through strong cooperation and advanced media processing/transmission technology. The Xscend® platform enables high-capacity media data and wideband signal transmission between locations with high reliability, while VIDI's integrated management system centralizes complex workflows. This provides the entire league with a flexible remote production environment that maintains the highest stability essential for live sports production. In collaboration with Sportcast GmbH, the production contractor for all German Bundesliga matches, new signal handover points were established within the network to address specific technical requirements for video transmission and monitor return signals. The SMPTE ST 2110 standard is used for signal transmission at core production sites. All 36 stadiums are connected by a fully redundant network, guaranteeing extremely stable transmission of live video, audio, and data. This new network infrastructure supports the further expansion of remote production, with the Bundesliga 2nd division currently conducting two remote productions per matchday. The centralized audio production system is also expanding, with an increasing number of Dolby Atmos® mixes produced at Darmstadt's Remote Audio Control Room (RACR). To reliably manage a vast array of diverse signals, VIDI enhanced its NMS, refreshing the reservation management interface and implementing automatic scheduling for all network lines and services. VIDI also expanded its Network Operation Center (NOC) in Darmstadt, establishing a stronger centralized maintenance and support system in conjunction with on-site adjustments at each stadium. VIDI's technical team completed all these refreshes within the limited 2025 off-season, and the system has been fully operational since the start of the current season.