Gravity Media, the global provider of live broadcast facilities and production services, has acquired Telstra Broadcast Services’ DSNG (Digital Satellite) fleet, its speciality Globecam miniature camera business and associated Radio Frequency Links.
The acquisition will complement Gravity’s existing outside broadcast fleet in Australia as well as its UK-based speciality cameras division. The acquired DSNG fleet is the largest in Australasia with 10 satellite uplink vehicles and three satellite flyaway uplinks.
Telstra acquired Globecam, which was previously branded the Globecast Australia business, back in 2015. The Globecast business in Australia was run by the colourful broadcast pioneer Mike Lattin who was CEO from 2003 until shortly before his death in 2013. Succeeding Lattin was Simon Farnsworth who oversaw the sale to Telstra.
The Globecam specialty cameras unit is renowned for debuting new devices including NetCam on all four Grand Slams in 2018 and Live JockeyCam around Australia in 2019. In 2021, Globecam returned to providing Onboard Live Camera solutions for Supercars Australia, in partnership with Gravity Media.
John Newton, founder & CEO (pictured above), Gravity Media, commented: “Enhancing Gravity Media’s broadcast services with the DSNG and Globecam businesses and teams from Telstra Broadcast Services is a logical extension of our highly regarded outside broadcast, production, studio and hire operations in Australia, Europe, the USA and around the world. Gravity Media and Telstra Broadcast Services often work side by side, so the synergies are well and truly there from the past, present and in the future.
“With the recent acquisitions of Input Media and Chief Entertainment, Gravity Media continues to grow its suite of premium broadcast offerings and looks forward to integrating the DSNG and Globecam teams into its business in Australia and globally, to the ultimate and ongoing benefit of our clients.”
Andreas Eriksson, head of Telstra Broadcast Services, commented: “Leading innovation in broadcast services is a value both Telstra Broadcast Services and Gravity Media share. We are pleased to have found a new home for the DSNG and Globecam businesses and will work productively with Gravity Media in the future, including for Occasional Use projects live via satellite. This will include ongoing, daily liaison between the DSNG fleet and Telstra Broadcast Services’ Broadcast Operations Centre as well as our bookings team. Together we will ensure seamless ongoing supply to our valued, multi-year, contracted DSNG clients.”
Gravity Media’s UK control room during the recently completed Euro 2020 tournament
Newton added: “Both Gravity Media and Globecam have long-established and successful relationships with Supercars Australia. Bringing them together this year has led to immediate innovations to In Car cameras for the benefit of Supercars race teams and fans. Our development roadmap for our In Car camera systems will take them beyond anything currently offered globally, putting Supercars ahead of other motor racing categories – we look forward to capturing even more exciting racing sound and vision for Supercars.”
See also: Gravity Media appoints Saul Shtein new director, production and content