IBC: France Télévisions Pushes The Boundaries Of Private 5G For Live Production

France Télévisions today announced its participation in the IBC 2025 Accelerator Media Innovation Program, which explores how private 5G networks can transform live production workflows.  

In the project “Conquering the Air(waves): Private 5G from Land to Sea to Sky,” France Télévisions is collaborating with broadcasters, academic institutions, and technology partners, including Adapt Media Services, BBC, d&b Solutions, EBU, Eutelsat, Globo, Haivision, Neutral Wireless, Open Broadcast Systems, Orange Events, QTV, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, RTÉ, Shure and University of Strathclyde, to explore the deployment of aerial private 5G networks to enable secure, high-bandwidth, and ultra-low latency connectivity for the live production of sports and entertainment events in challenging and dynamic environments.  

The goal of this project, France Télévisions says, is to help broadcasters create more content at lower costs while delivering immersive experiences that bring audiences closer to the action. The initiative also explores how private 5G can support greener live production methods. By reducing reliance on traditional RF systems, private 5G has the potential to lower CO₂ emissions, supporting more sustainable live production practices. In addition to greener production workflows, these trials have also demonstrated how broadcasters can enhance safety and coordination for both broadcast teams and athletes. 

The project has focused on developing and testing new mobile and aerial network architectures and innovative backhaul solutions to support high-quality, low-latency video and audio streaming, including the development of a drone-based 5G network. Several proof-of-concept trials across Europe this summer have demonstrated how private 5G can support more immersive, flexible, and reliable coverage of live events. The findings from this project will inform future implementations of aerial 5G connectivity, paving the way for more flexible, scalable, and immersive media production solutions. 

The following proof of concept trials have taken place over the last few months:  

France Télévisions, Bretagne Classic (Brittany, France, Aug. 29–31) —

During the Bretagne Classic proof of concept trial, France Télévisions tested private 5G connectivity using motorbike cameras and an ultralight aircraft, showcasing dynamic live coverage, onboard processing, and spectrum sharing. For the live production workflow, Neutral Wireless provided the private 5G connectivity from an ultralight aircraft which received course footage captured by motorbike cameras outfitted with Haivision mobile video transmission solutions. The video feeds were received on a Eutelsat mobile vehicle and transmitted to the cloud over its LEO satellite constellation.  

Additionally, the video was backhauled from the ultralight aircraft using the Orange public network. Professional audio feeds, captured using an array microphone from Shure, were also streamed via the ultralight to the Eutelsat vehicle. This ambitious and innovative project has shown the potential to revolutionise how wide area wireless connectivity is deployed for live events. 

QTV at Henley Music Festival (Henley-on-Thames, UK, July 10–11) —  

At Henley Festival 2025, a Neutral Wireless private 5G network supported both broadcast cameras and roaming smartphones on gimbals using Haivision mobile video transmission solutions, capturing authentic crowd reactions and atmosphere shots. Working with QTV, Adapt Media Services and d&b Solutions, the trial also demonstrated remote camera control, intercom, and onsite video distribution, showcasing new creative possibilities for live festival production. 

Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) – Airborne, Drone-Powered Private 5G Cellular Network (Turin, Italy, July 1–2) — RAI, France Télévisions, Neutral Wireless, Haivision, and Eutelsat were on location to fly a tethered drone carrying a lightweight n77 radio head to create an airborne private 5G cell. Multiple live video feeds were streamed via the drone to ground infrastructure with excellent performance and range. 

 
Skander Ben Attia, France Télévisions CTO, says: “We are thrilled to have contributed to this collaborative program, which builds on the momentum created by the Olympic torch relay. At France Télévisions, we place our audiences at the heart of our innovations: by exploring solutions such as private 5G and LEO satellites, we are making our productions more agile and responsible, in order to offer ever richer and more accessible coverage of the events that matter to them.” 

Showcase at IBC2025 

The IBC Accelerator project Conquering the Air(waves): Private 5G from Land to Sea to Sky will be showcased at IBC at the following events and locations:  

• Panel discussion on Sept. 14 at the new Future Tech Stage in Hall 14 at 10:30-11:30 featuring France Télévisions, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, Haivision, and Neutral Wireless
• IBC Accelerator Zone Stand A21, Hall 14