Tailored Broadcast Infrastructure at the Leonardo Building @CH Media
As part of the “MOVE 2020” project, CH Media – Switzerland’s largest private regional media network – relocated in 2021 to its new production hub at the Leonardo Building in Zurich-Oerlikon.
Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, AVC-Systems AG, acting as the general contractor, delivered a state-of-the-art broadcast infrastructure that enables centralized TV and radio production as well as remote workflows for regional studios.
The Challenges
CH Media required a future-ready production hub capable of supporting two local TV studios in Zurich as well as remote control of the regional studios for Tele 1, Tele M1, Tele Bärn, and TVO. The goal was to boost operational efficiency, reduce costs, and free up resources for program investments.
Despite pandemic-related challenges – including supply-chain disruptions and restricted site access – the project had to be delivered on time for the on-air launch.
Our Solution
AVC Systems AG acted as the general contractor, overseeing the entire project and coordinating the planning, installation, and commissioning of the broadcast infrastructure. In collaboration with our partners – SLG Broadcast AG (audio, intercom, KVM) and Jordi AG (storage, cameras, playout) – we delivered a tailor-made solution. Weekly progress reviews with CH Media, agile project planning, and system mock-up testing at AVC facilities ensured a smooth rollout and on-time delivery, despite pandemic-related restrictions.
Highlights of the Installation
Centralized Infrastructure: A data center (DC) located in the basement powers two studios, four video control rooms, two audio control rooms, a digital control room, a master control room, live rundown control, a 14-channel playout system, newsroom, robotics & camera control, commentator booths, post-production suites, edit stations, and graphics workstations.
Remote Production: Regional studios in Aarau, Lucerne, Bern, and St. Gallen—each equipped with four remotely operated PTZ cameras—are connected to Zurich via IP links (100 G, Bern 40 G) over a Layer-2 network provided by Sunrise, enabling centralized control from Zurich.
Studio Automation: The Zurich studios feature robotic cameras and virtual-reality capabilities, while the local control rooms (LKR 1–3) leverage studio automation for streamlined workflows.
SDI & IP Integration: SDI serves as the core technology for uncompromising image quality, complemented by IP-based connections to the regional studios for reliable, low-latency transmissions.
Training & Support: Comprehensive operator training was conducted at AVC before equipment installation to save time, supplemented by ongoing technical support for the CH Media team.
The Result
In March 2022, the new broadcast infrastructure at the Leonardo Building went live, enabling CH Media to deliver high-quality content across TV, radio, and online platforms. The centralized control of the regional studios boosted operational efficiency, reduced running costs, and provided audiences with a visually compelling experience—featuring crisp graphics and seamless productions. The project highlights AVC Systems AG’s ability to deliver top-tier performance even under the most challenging conditions.
AVC Systems AG is proud to have realized this forward-looking project in partnership with CH Media, SLG Broadcast AG, and Jordi AG. We thank all partners for their trust and collaboration and look forward to shaping Switzerland’s media landscape with innovative technology.
