Press release
06.04.2010 - Holte
Sennheiser named official supplier to the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, May 29, 2010
Didrik Solli-Tangen performs My Heart is Yours i the Norwegian Final.
Photo credit: Fredrik Arff/NRKGerman manufacturer Sennheiser has delivered wireless microphones to the Eurovision Song Contest international finale for many years – and again this year for the 25th time! Last time Sennheiser Nordic was in charge, was in Helsinki in 2007. Doing so, Sennheiser performs a key role in the magnificent finale taking place at Telenor Arena, Saturday May 29, 2010. Up to 200 million television viewers are expected.
As Norway is hosting the show, NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) has an important, obvious function in the production and technical implementation of the show. Since the finale is also an international event, EBU (European Broadcasting Union) will also play an important technical role.
The cooperation between NRK, EBU and Sennheiser regarding RF solutions
Says Sales Director Nordic at Sennheiser, Bjørn Rennemo Henriksen:
“We had a great opportunity presenting ourselves and our technical solutions for NRK at the end of last year. Amongst other things, we showed how various RF challenges have been solved at similar events during the last few years.
“Sennheiser’s level of expertice and vast experience, and obviously the quality of the equipment, are reasons why Sennheiser is chosen as supplier of RF equipment year after year, at the largest, international venues.”
A show like Eurovision Song Contest is extensive in many respects, and technically it is extremely tasking. However, a regular TV viewer may be tempted to ask:
50–100 wireless channels – microphones and in ear monitoring – how is it possible – and why is it necessary?
Simply put:
Why is it necessary for a vocal soloist, aided by a maximum of 5 background singers performing with singback, to require such a large number of wireless microphones and in ear monitoring systems?
Bjørn continues: “One important aspect is assurance, and the requirement for adequate backup solutions. Based on years of experience, one has considered the technical complications that may arise, and thus the need for ‘backup of the backup solutions’. A different aspect that argues in favour of a large number of wireless systems, is NRK’s request for a separate ‘rehearsal stage’ for the artists, for in ear monitoring practice.”
Rehearsal in ear monitoring stage
NRK and Sennheiser will facilitate a special rehearsal stage for in ear monitoring, for the artists at Telenor Arena. This because there may be young, less experienced singers among the many artists, who may require some real life experience with earphones and wireless in ear monitoring during rehearsals prior to the show. For some of the artists, this huge event may be their first time ever using in ear monitoring.
Providing good sound is only part of the story
When the Sennheiser name is mentioned, we are probably talking about the most experienced supplier of RF technology, with a keen awareness of the strict requirements and problems that may occur.
One thing is getting good sound from one or two wireless microphones, that is just the beginning ... An arrangement like Eurovision Song Contest is an enormous media event. The media, TV stations, reporters a.o. will crowd Telenor Arena, and will, to a large extent, use their own wireless equipment. Frequency conflicts with the audio equipment being used on stage may therefore occur. Thus, the compilation of a “foolproof” frequency plan and a safe regime for the use of wireless equipment, for any and all technical purposes at Telenor Arena, is extremely tasking for NRK, for EBU – and for Sennheiser.
During preparations, numerous rehearsals and finally during the show itself, RF specialists from Sennheiser will be in charge of RF, complementing NRK’s experienced and highly qualified technical staff.
The equipment from Sennheiser during Eurovision Song Contest
The equipment used at this event is the most modern ever used at an Eurovision Song Contest, the list includes handheld microphone transmitters, pocket transmitters, in ear monitoring systems, receivers and an advanced antenna system. Jonas Næsby, Service and Application Engineer at Sennheiser Nordic, sums it all up: “The system from Sennheiser is among the largest and most advanced wireless systems ever used during the Eurovision Song Contest.”
The roots of Sennheiser – from metropolis Berlin to a small village outside Hanover
Today, Sennheiser is an international operation, with around 1600 employees. The company has always been family oriented, with strong roots and long traditions. The predecessor of today’s Sennheiser was founded in Wedemark, Germany back in 1945 by professor dr. Fritz Sennheiser (born in 1912), who from an early age had a strong interest in technology. In the early years, Sennheiser was a frequent supplier to other companies, such as Siemens. 20 years later, Sennheiser had become Germany’s largest supplier, specializing in microphone manufacture. The number of employees reached 94 in 1953. The company has always built its success step by step, with a sound financial base.
In 1982, Fritz Sennheiser handed over management of the company to his son, Jörg Sennheiser (born 1944), a young man for whom technology was second nature. At present, a third generation is represented in the company, namely Daniel Sennheiser and Andreas Sennheiser. Today, the company is widely renowned for its microphones, headphones, earphones and headsets, infrared audio transmission systems and highly advanced RF technology. The advanced wireless microphones of today have roots dating back to the mid fifties, when the first samples came out.
Many music lovers are familiar with Sennheiser headphones. In particular, many people will recognize model HD414, the world’s first open headphone, a product that sort of “invented” the headphone market for home use back in the seventies. Or maybe you have noticed the headsets for the telephone system at your workplace, or a conference center you have visited? These headsets could likely be of the Sennheiser brand.
Sennheiser has branches/companies a.o. in Germany (head office), France, Ireland, Great Britain, USA, Be-Lux and Canada. In addition, Neumann Berlin, Asia (Singapore), New Mexico, plus Sennheiser Communications A/S (Denmark).
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The Sennheiser Group, with its headquarters in Wedemark near Hanover, Germany, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. The family-owned company, which was established in 1945, recorded sales of over €385 million in 2008. Sennheiser employs more than 2,100 people worldwide, around 55% of whom are in Germany. Sennheiser has manufacturing plants in Germany, Ireland and the USA, and is represented worldwide by subsidiaries in France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark (Nordic), Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and the USA, as well as by long-term trading partners in many other countries. Also part of the Sennheiser Group are Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin (studio microphones), K + H Vertriebs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (Klein + Hummel studio monitors, installed sound) and the joint venture Sennheiser Communications A/S (headsets for PCs, offices and call centres).
You can find all the latest information on Sennheiser by visiting our website at www.sennheisernordic.com, or by contacting:
Sennheiser Nordic A/S Denmark
Skovlytoften 33 • DK-2840 Holte
Phone: +45 70 26 66 33 • Fax: +45 70 26 67 11
e-mail: sennheiser@sennheisernordic.com
www.sennheisernordic.com