Omrop Fryslân marks a new era of integrated broadcasting

The new studio setup with ultrawide monitors and the Axia Quasar SR mixing console. Photos: Omrop Fryslân

LEEUWARDEN, Netherlands — Omrop Fryslân, a regional broadcaster serving the northern province of Fryslân (Friesland) in the Netherlands, recently completed a significant studio refit, marking a major step forward in its broadcasting capabilities.

The station, which broadcasts in the Frisian language, caters to a culturally distinct audience and is known for its innovative approach to media. With the refit, Omrop Fryslân aimed to integrate cutting-edge technology across both its radio and television operations. Telos Alliance played a central role in the transformation.

A critical aspect of Omrop Fryslân’s offering is its visual radio, which seamlessly blends radio and television into a unified experience. This innovation lets viewers see what’s happening in the radio studio, enhancing audience engagement. “A part of our TV channel is filled with visual radio, so the viewer gets an idea of what is happening in the radio studio,” explained Martin Wijbenga, a broadcast engineer at Omrop Fryslân. “This integration is particularly effective during major events, such as the Fietselfstedentocht (a 235 km bike tour through 11 towns and cities in Fryslân), where we use both media to deliver a comprehensive experience. The radio hosts and directors create the show, but all our reporters in the field use a video feed. We make TV in a radio manner, with fast jingles and dynamic visuals that keep the audience engaged.”

A wooden table in a radio studio with cut outs where radio equipment is placed — The old on-air studio desk — a new surface was added before the installation

Flexible and compact

The decision to refit the studio was driven by the need to update outdated infrastructure. “Our old studios were built with a 10-year life span in mind, and that time was up,” Wijbenga noted. The primary goal was to create a flexible, compact studio environment that met the needs of on-air presenters while maintaining the highest quality broadcasting standards.

In selecting new equipment, Omrop Fryslân says it chose Telos Alliance for its reputation for reliability and innovation. “From a technical perspective, we saw the great opportunity that Livewire could bring us,” Wijbenga said. “We wanted to integrate radio and TV consoles along with a station-wide all-in-one intercom system. The durability of Telos equipment was also a significant factor in our decision.”

When we switched from our TDM-based digital console to the Axia AoIP network-based system, the sound quality went up.
Martin Wijbenga, Omrop Fryslân broadcast engineer

The refit introduced several key pieces of Telos Alliance equipment, carefully chosen to meet the station’s evolving needs. “The first device we ever used from Telos was the Omnia.11 audio processor, which we loved so much that we decided to buy a new one during the refit,” Wijbenga shared. The upgrade also saw the introduction of the Axia Quasar SR console for radio, complementing the Axia Quasar XR console already in use for TV. In addition, the station incorporated Telos Infinity intercom panels and Omnia VOCO 8 voice processing alongside the Axia QOR.16 mixing engine for on-air switching between studios.

One of the most significant challenges during the refit was ensuring redundancy in the technical setup, which is crucial for reliable broadcasting. “In the old days of analog consoles, if one studio went down, you could seamlessly switch to another,” Wijbenga explained. “We wanted the same reliability in our new audio-over-IP-based studios. It took a lot of time to solve all the issues, particularly with PTP clocking, but now we can say it works perfectly.” He credited Triple Audio, Telos Alliance’s Netherlands dealer, for their invaluable support in overcoming these challenges.

Some equipment mounted in a rack — The small 19-inch rack in the studio during the buildup. Only a few devices needed it — some Axia xNodes to connect analog and digital devices to the Livewire network, a playout PC and the Omnia VOCO 8 voice processor.

Exceeding expectations

The new studio setup has exceeded expectations, providing the flexibility and ease of use that were key priorities for the station. “We’ve never been able to be so flexible in routing and setting up special shows without making it complex for the talent,” Wijbenga noted. The integration of everything into the Livewire network has streamlined operations, making work more efficient and enjoyable for the team.

A particularly surprising benefit of the upgrade was the noticeable improvement in sound quality. “When we switched from our TDM-based digital console to the Axia AoIP network-based system, the sound quality went up,” Wijbenga said. “In the analog days, the sound of a console was always something to discuss, but now, with digital broadcast consoles, it’s no longer an issue. The clarity of sound on this new platform is remarkable.”

While the new facilities represent a significant step forward, Wijbenga admitted to a touch of nostalgia for one piece of equipment from the old studio. “I think I miss the RTW 1206D peak meter the most,” he reflected. “All the rest has been replaced by something better.”

Omrop Fryslân may be a small station, but it has a lion’s heart for innovation. Its studio refit, powered by Telos Alliance equipment, has positioned it at the forefront of modern broadcasting technology. The innovative integration of visual radio, along with the seamless combination of radio and TV operations, should ensure that the station will continue to deliver high-quality, engaging content to its unique audience for years to come.