QTV, the Glasgow-based outside broadcast and production company, has made a significant investment in GTC Patron Sony broadcast technology as part of a strategic expansion that will see it compete for a broader range of productions in Scotland and beyond.
The purchase encompasses 24 Sony HDC-3000 series studio cameras, 10 Sony PXW-Z200 camcorders and a Sony XVS-G1 vision mixer – enabling the step change in operational consistency, resilience and scalability that the Sony technology ecosystem makes possible.
The investment reflects QTV’s ambition to grow from its established base in sports OB and remote production into a company capable of servicing larger-scale live events, arts, and entertainment productions. A purpose-built 14-camera OB truck will house the new Sony vision mixer and studio cameras, significantly expanding the range of QTV’s productions.
The new cameras made their debut in May, when QTV produced the world feed for Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League bus parade with a rolling 17-camera OB through Birmingham delivered remotely from Glasgow. At the Commonwealth Games, currently underway in Glasgow, the new OB truck is supporting QTV’s contract to cover weightlifting and powerlifting for host broadcaster Actua Films.
Reliability and resilience
QTV’s relationship with Sony dates to 2017, when the company made its first investment in nine Sony HDC-1700 studio cameras to deliver its Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and World Archery contracts. Over the following years, running Sony cameras alongside equipment from other manufacturers highlighted a stark contrast in operating costs and reliability.
“I can count on one hand the number of problems I’ve had with Sony cameras over the last six years,” said Gareth Gordon, Chief Technology Officer at QTV. “The repair bills for some other brands made them unsustainable. When we looked at the cost-benefit analysis, it was clear that replacing the fleet with Sony was the right decision for the next decade.“
That decision was reinforced by the practical realities of broadcasting in Scotland. Sony cameras – with connectors positioned to prevent water ingress rather than sitting on top of the unit – have proved significantly more resilient in wet conditions than alternatives. Standardising the fleet also simplifies operations across QTV’s hires, partnerships and crew; every engineer who walks onto a QTV OB encounters equipment with which they are already familiar.
“I’ve worked with the HDC series throughout my career,” added Gordon. “I want my junior engineers working with Sony kit because it’s what they’ll find on the vast majority of productions anywhere in the world.“
The existing 2017 HDC-1700 cameras are also being upgraded with 3G cards and licences, extending their operational lifespan and bringing them into line with the new fleet – a further demonstration of the long-term value of the Sony platform.
Built to do the heavy lifting
The new OB truck targets the higher end of Scotland’s live production market – particularly arts, festival and large-scale events where London-based facility companies have historically been the default choice. As QTV’s first UHD and HDR-capable vehicle, it opens up production formats the company has not previously been able to offer, and will be equipped with the new Sony vision mixer.
“The truck is a statement,” said Gordon. “We are a remote production company, built on small vans and lean operations. This is the next stage of evolution for QTV – and part of that is the confidence that comes from being able to say we are a Sony house.“
Coverage from pitch side to prime time
While the new OB truck targets the higher end of the market, the PXW-Z200 camcorders address a different need. Ten units have been purchased to service contracts with SPFL and the Football Association of Wales, providing single- and two-camera live streaming for the leagues’ respective OTT offers.
“The Z200 gives you broadcast-quality pictures, consistent colour, and it’s easy to use under pressure,” said Nic Smith, Senior Key Account Manager, North, at Sony Europe. “For single-operator productions where there’s no one else to troubleshoot, the camera simply has to turn on and work every time – and that’s what it does.”
The consistency of the Sony ecosystem runs through both investments. Whether a QTV crew is operating a 17-camera world feed or a single-operator livestream, they are working with kit they know and trust.
Commercial realities
The deal was facilitated with the support of industry broker Ignicion Ltd whose deal to buyback QTV’s outgoing cameras from other manufacturers helped unlock the capital to make the Sony investment viable, alongside an attractive commercial package from Sony.
“Sony worked hard to find a way through the commercial challenge,” said Gordon. “That kind of commitment to us as a partner matters. It’s not just about selling kit – it’s about investing in the relationship.”
Backing Scottish broadcast talent
Alongside its equipment investment, QTV has taken on a central role in the Host Broadcaster Training Initiative (HBTI), part of Actua Films’ delivery for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. QTV is running the programme in its entirety, upskilling six broadcast industry entrants to senior-level roles and twenty entry-level trainees who will work across the Games. Sony contributed equipment, time and senior expertise to the programme – including four days of on-site training from Daryl Bidewell, one of the industry’s most respected vision supervisors, and Jacob Morris on vision mixing.
“Being able to bring someone of Daryl’s calibre in to work directly with people who are at the very start of their careers is a real coup,” said Gordon. “The HBTI is about creating a genuine pathway into the industry in Scotland. For too long, that pathway has been too narrow.“
QTV has also worked with Screen Scotland, NFTS and BBC Studioworks on traineeships over several years, and is actively assessing HBTI graduates for future employment and freelance work as the company grows.
“QTV is exactly the kind of company we want to work with,” said Nic Smith of Sony. “They are technically ambitious, undertaking increasingly high-profile work across a wide range of sports and live events in the UK and internationally, and developing talent for our industry. We are proud to be the technology partner as they continue their growth journey.“
