LiveU's Matrix cloud IP contribution platform will form the backbone of a multi-layered distribution system extending to over 60 public service newsrooms in Europe and globally.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Europe’s alliance of public service media organisations, is making moves towards IP-based contribution and hybrid distribution of live news content through its Eurovision News Exchange, which until now has been a satellite-only system.
The News Exchange, recognised for its reliability and trustworthy news content, is responsible for delivery of its Members' live signals throughout Europe and beyond. EBU has awarded LiveU a five-year contract to deliver 24/7 live content through the Exchange, relying on LiveU Matrix.
Connecting the News Exchange
The project connects all of the Eurovision News Exchange's members, extending to more than 60 public service newsrooms in Europe and globally. Their broadcast teams will be using delivery based on LiveU Reliable Transport (LRT) with SRT capabilities, chosen for its stability and scalability. The project also includes a phased rollout of LiveU Ingest for cloud recording and shared content workflows across both primary and backup channels. This part of the project is currently in its pilot phase involving 15 members.
EBU’s satellite uplinks can be replaced with distribution via LRT and SRT over the public internet, without requiring dedicated hardware. Destinations and sources can be added with minimal impact on operational costs. Shared and received feeds can be recorded directly in the cloud instead of setting up physical recorders, and integrated with existing MAM/PAM systems. Teams can begin working on files during recording.
A centralised IP distribution hub, LiveU's Matrix allows open contribution and distribution of live news content among members, and ad-hoc sharing with other sources. Typical use cases include newsgathering organizations covering the same events. LiveU Matrix creates a shared pool of live content, supporting collaboration between the organizations and avoiding the need to send multiple crews to cover events. Similarly, news networks can receive and curate all of their affiliates’ content centrally, and then share only the relevant feeds back to individual affiliates.
Embracing Cloud-Based IP Workflows
Emilio San Pedro, Head of Eurovision News Exchange, EBU, said, "The project marks a decisive step for the broadcasting industry, as major public service media embrace cloud-based IP workflows for faster, more sustainable and cost-efficient live news delivery. LiveU's Matrix platform enables us to connect Europe's leading broadcasters more effectively and ensure live news delivery directly to audiences everywhere, into the future."
Piotr Kaszynski, Program Manager for the renewal of the Eurovision News Exchange live network, EBU, said, "Following a very tight and highly competitive selection process, we are partnering with LiveU to replace the Eurovision News Exchange live contribution and distribution system. By the end of 2025, the new solution will bring greater flexibility and faster setup times, enabling our Members via continuous, reliable access to Eurovision News Exchange live signals. With LiveU Matrix connecting on-prem and field units already used across the News Exchange, we can strengthen collaboration and improve our services for Members and partners."
Dual Active Redundancy
The solution integrates 125 LiveU Transceivers deployed at member premises, with Dual Active (active/active) redundancy, meaning that two parallel streams – via cloud and transceiver – guarantee uninterrupted service in each location. By distributing workloads evenly across the nodes, load balancing is optimised. Active-passive setups keep nodes on standby, activating them only when the primary fails and causing potential delays. Instead, this high-availability Dual Active layer enhances Matrix's ability to serve as a primary distribution system complement to back up satellite distribution.
The multi-region, multi-vendor contingency plan relies on global cloud providers in the various regions, further supporting a highly resilient, multi-layered architecture. Proactive monitoring is also included in the solution as well as the option to scale up the distribution channels for high-demand events.
Roy Hasson, VP Global SaaS and Solution Sales, LiveU, said, "We're pleased to partner with EBU on this historic leap forward. It demonstrates our ability to develop scalable and interoperable solutions that are cost-effective in a highly competitive landscape. We are pleased to see the expansion of Matrix among our top tier accounts as a tool to rely on as a primary distribution platform."
Deployment began earlier this year and LiveU Matrix has already been used for major news events, such as the Papal Conclave. It will be completed in January 2026, when the EBU plans to gradually phase out its satellite contribution workflow and transition to a hybrid distribution and IP-based contribution. The official go-live date for the new IP-based network is set for 1 January 2026. www.liveu.tv
