Broadcast and Media Newsletter08-Jul-2020
2021: Looking ahead with optimism
At the end of an extraordinary year, Cornelius Heinemann, Executive Vice President, Broadcast and Media at Rohde & Schwarz takes a moment to reflect and also to look ahead to a tremendously exciting new year.
2020 has been an extraordinary year: for many it has been extremely difficult. But, at Rohde & Schwarz it has provided an opportunity to show our resilience and ingenuity. I’m really proud of the team here, especially their ability to cope with the situation. Many staff have worked from home, but they have not made this an opportunity to reduce their productivity. Many others have chosen to continue working in our offices since they recognise the importance of teamwork and this is best achieved here. All of our staff have given their very best to make certain that this major challenge becomes an opportunity for success.
Without doubt, the global media industry has been profoundly affected by the pandemic. We see customer projects slowing down and investment decisions being delayed. This is true in all our business segments – both media technologies and distribution. At this time, Rohde & Schwarz has an important support role to play for our customers – providing tangible support that will help them in difficult times.
This year, many other technology vendors have come under pressure, but this is not the case at Rohde & Schwarz. We are a stable company: we are able to think in the long term. So, we have been able to plan for a world post-Covid and make the necessary investment to make us well positioned to support our customers in this new environment. We have continued to invest in our core business – through research & development as well as new product, system and technology introductions.
Despite everything, I believe that 2021 will be an exciting year for Rohde & Schwarz with numerous exciting new product introductions planned. In the distribution business, we are planning the introduction of new transmitters that represent a paradigm progression in this advanced technology area. Also, we will be introducing new features within our satellite amplifier family.
2021 will be a break-out year for 5G Broadcast-Multicast. Despite the pandemic, 2020 has witnessed some strategic proof of concept trials in places like Brazil, Germany, Spain and China. And this process continues with a new trial starting in Europe, which will focus on the transformative stadium-cast facilities that 5G Broadcast-Multicast offers consumers. With a team of like-minded companies, we will demonstrate how the live viewer experience will evolve beyond anything previously imagined.
In the media technology business, we are looking forward to new product introductions to our SPYCERNODE media storage family. Also, we have exciting news to tell in our PRISMON multiviewer and monitoring system. And we have key IP-related developments to announce regarding our VENICE server systems.
In general, Rohde & Schwarz has been following a strategy of increasing our development focus on the cloud and software defined products. If anything, the pandemic has created an increased focus on these areas and rather than slowing down, we have accelerated developments in these areas.
Rohde & Schwarz has weathered the storm well, we have maintained our focus and I believe that we are well positioned to help support our customers in this new post-pandemic world.
Finally, 2020 has been unique in that without the major tradeshows, we have had no opportunities to meet face-to-face with our customers. Of course, this had to be so, but with the development of effective vaccines we see a return to normal next year.
The first major event looks like it will be IBC in September 2021. The event organizers need to make sure that they organize an effective, safe event. They need to pay close attention to the evolutionary developments this year, such as the effectiveness of online events, and to build these into their plans. But I’m confident that our colleagues at IBC, NAB and elsewhere will rise to this challenge. We can’t wait to renew our relationships once again – be that in Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Singapore or wherever.
All that remains is for me to wish you an enjoyable festive period on behalf of Rohde & Schwarz. We look forward to our collective endeavours in a truly exciting 2021.