World's first live audio remote production using IOWN APN
Utilizing IOWN APN in the year-end music program titled The Japan Record Awards

News Highlights:

Background

Video and audio production DX (digital transformation), such as remote production, is a method of producing video by connecting filming sites and production bases via a network. It is expected to help solve social issues like improving operational efficiency, which currently requires providing a large number of equipment in satellite trucks and dispatching production staffs to the site, as well as addressing the shortage of video and audio engineers due to the declining population. To achieve these goal, video and audio production equipment and technologies are being standardized and consolidated.

For large-scale events held at stadiums and theaters, it is necessary to send many satellite trucks and production staff to the site. This has created challenges in controlling costs and ensuring a production environment for high-quality output.

Outline of the initiatives

In this project, TBS's Akasaka studio sub-facility (Minato Ward, Tokyo) and the New National Theatre, Tokyo (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo), which hosts live music programs, were connected through APN featuring high capacity, low latency, and no fluctuation. By connecting audio equipment such as mixers at TBS's Akasaka studio sub-facility via APN, remote audio production was achieved, reducing the need for on-site production staff.

The APN was configured using NTT EAST's All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN³, and video network equipment, such as IP-GW, provided by Sony Marketing Inc.

Figure 1 Audio Remote Production Using APN

Fundamentals of the technology

Results of the initiative

Role of each company

This initiative was promoted jointly by NTT, NTT EAST, and TBS.

NTT: Provided technical support and conducted result analysis for remote production using APN
NTT EAST: Managed the provision and operation of All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN
TBS: Managed the provision and operation of audio equipment and video content, such as live broadcast programs

In addition to the above, we have received the following cooperation.

Sony Marketing Inc.: Supplied equipment and technical cooperation for video network equipment

Outlook

In the future, we will jointly promote field demonstrations of video and audio production leveraging the equipment and technology utilized in this initiative. This will contribute to improving the quality of production by further promoting video and audio production DX and ensuring accessibility to audio production bases and filming sites.
　Additionally, through the deployment of APN technology—central to this system—to broadcasting stations and production bases, the three companies will continue to work together to improve production efficiency and sophistication. This will further drive the development of production DX throughout the video and audio production industry.

[Glossary]

^1.IOWN
The IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) concept is a network and information processing infrastructure, including devices, capable of providing high-speed, high-capacity communications and enormous computing resources. It optimizes individuals and the entire system using innovative, optics-based technologies. For more details, visit:
■What is the IOWN concept?
https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/

^2.APN
APN (All-Photonics Network) introduces photonics-based technology to everything from the network to the device, and realizes transmission with extremely low power consumption, high quality, large capacity, and low delay, which is difficult to achieve with current electronics-based technologies. For more details, visit:
■What is the All-Photonics Network?
https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/0002.html

^3.All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN
All-Photonics Connect provides point-to-point connections between customer-designated locations, enabling high-speed, high-capacity, low-latency, low-power communication at 10Gbps/100Gbps/400Gbps/800Gbps. For more details, visit:
■What is All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN?
https://business.ntt-east.co.jp/service/koutaiikiaccess/ (Japanese)

^4.Dante
Dante, which stands for Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet, is a networking technology used in the professional audio industry. It is a protocol designed for transmitting audio data over Ethernet, commonly utilized in live audio settings and broadcast recording studios.

^5.The Japan Record Awards
Held every year on December 30, it is Japan's largest music award. It is known as a prestigious music event. It celebrates works and artists who have significantly impacted the music scene over the past year. The event recognizes excellence with grand prizes, outstanding work awards and new artist awards. Broadcast live from the New National Theatre, Tokyo in Hatsudai, it is on air from TBS Broadcasting Center in Akasaka.

About NTT

NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $97B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers.

About Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc.

Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (TBS) is the principal subsidiary of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc. and one of the leading commercial TV networks in Japan. Established in 1951, TBS produces and distributes dramas, variety shows, news, sports, animation and movies. TBS is also actively engaged in overseas expansion and has produced popular dramas such as "VIVANT" and "TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room". TBS's reality shows such as "SASUKE / Ninja Warrior" and "Takeshi's Castle" have gained popularity overseas and are viewed in more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.