The Scottish company is strengthening its infrastructure with Sony cameras, switchers and OB units to take on larger-scale UHD/HDR productions, while also supporting the training of a new generation of industry professionals.
The evolution of outside broadcast production no longer depends solely on the number of cameras or the technical capabilities of the vehicles. Equipment standardisation, operational reliability and the ability to handle increasingly complex productions have become decisive factors for broadcast service providers.
Against this backdrop, QTV, the Glasgow-based broadcast and production company, has carried out a major upgrade of its technical infrastructure with the addition of 24 Sony HDC-3000 studio cameras, 10 PXW-Z200 camcorders and an XVS-G1 production switcher. The investment is designed to expand its capacity for sports broadcasting, major live events and entertainment productions.
The new infrastructure forms part of the company’s growth strategy as it looks to compete for larger-scale productions in Scotland and beyond. A key addition is a new 14-camera outside broadcast unit, equipped for UHD and HDR production, which has already been deployed for events including Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League victory parade and the coverage of weightlifting and powerlifting competitions at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The importance of a standardised technology platform
Beyond the increase in capacity, QTV highlights another factor that is becoming increasingly important for production companies: working with a unified ecosystem reduces operational complexity, simplifies maintenance and allows engineers to join a production quickly without having to adapt to multiple platforms.
The company began working with Sony in 2017 and says that the experience gained over the following years, particularly in terms of reliability and maintenance costs, was one of the factors behind the latest investment. It also points to the performance of the equipment in adverse weather conditions, an especially relevant consideration for outdoor productions in Scotland.
 |
 |
From sports to entertainment
Although much of QTV’s activity remains centred on sports broadcasting, the new outside broadcast unit will enable the company to take on more technically complex projects in areas such as festivals, live shows and major cultural productions, segments that have traditionally relied heavily on external providers.
The new Sony PXW-Z200 camcorders, meanwhile, will be used mainly for lightweight sports productions for OTT platforms and one- or two-operator live broadcasts, while maintaining technological consistency with the rest of the company’s equipment fleet.
Training as part of the investment
The technology upgrade is also accompanied by a commitment to developing new professionals. QTV is involved in the Host Broadcaster Training Initiative (HBTI), a programme linked to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where it supports the training of broadcast technicians and operators with the involvement of Sony specialists. In parallel, it runs internship programmes with organisations including Screen Scotland, NFTS and BBC Studioworks to help new talent enter the industry.
