RMC BFM French private media group based its move from SDI/HD to SMPTE ST 2110 IP and UHD workflows on Grass Valley’s most recent production switcher and multiviewer hardware.
RMC BFM, one of France’s largest private media groups, is on a journey to modernise its production capabilities, including a move from SDI/HD to SMPTE ST 2110 IP and UHD workflows. The company’s multi-media content converges on five main themes – information, economy, sport, high-tech and discovery.
The modernisation project positions the company, now part of the CMA-CGM Group after its acquisition in 2024, at the head of UHD live production in France. The team has chosen Grass Valley’s production switcher and multiviewer solutions to drive the new systems.
4K UHD 2160p Processing on the K-Frame SXP
The deployment, scheduled to go on air in early January 2026, completely replaces one of RMC BFM’s main production galleries. The new infrastructure is based on the Grass Valley K-Frame SXP production switcher, which is built for full raster 4K UHD 2160p processing without resource loss, supporting 12G 4K UHD or 3G HD 1080p in either uncompressed or JPEG-XS formats. HDR capabilities are available through a software license.
A useful tool for Technical Directors, the K-Frame SXP has an I/O capacity of 192 inputs and 96 outputs. It allows configurations that can be entirely SDI, entirely IP (ST 2110) or a combination, and can make use of the IP board with JPEG XS for efficiency and lossless video transmission. IP connectivity supports 25GbE SFPs (small form-factor pluggable network interface ports) or 100GbE QSFPs (quad SFPs).
Further configuration is possible with the SXP’s nine full M/Es, each featuring six keyers for setting up complex video productions. Compatible with Grass Valley’s control surfaces, the operators at RMC-BFM use a 3-stripe Kayenne control surface and a 1-stripe Kayenne satellite panel. To support 8K productions, the switcher’s EZ-8K Mode delivers a maximum of 48 inputs, 24 outputs and 4 M/Es, while keeping workflows consistent with HD and 4K UHD operations.
UHD Monitoring in an IP Environment
The system is complemented by seven Kaleido-IP X440 2110 multiviewers, made for direct UHD monitoring in an IP environment. The multiviewers manage both local and remote DVB IP streams, including SMPTE ST 2110 and OTT formats like HLS, and also feature signal quality probing to detect and alert users to video and audio issues such as freezes and loudness problems.
It is among the first multiviewers to fully implement NMOS specifications for interoperability in networked media environments. NMOS implementation simplifies interoperable connection, management and control of IP video and audio devices from different manufacturers, within a common eco-system. It has the advantage of preventing vendor lock-in, and means RMC BFM, collaborators and clients can choose their preferred equipment and build the system that best meets their needs.
With Kaleido-IP’s XEdit layout editor, operators with or without extensive technical knowledge can customise the switcher layouts. A high density device, it supports numerous simultaneous video and audio program decodes. This includes up to four independent HDMI outputs with audio monitoring, to suit different output configurations, plus multiple IP streaming outputs, both compressed and uncompressed, that can be tailored to user needs.
Long-Term Partnership
RMC BFM has been a longtime Grass Valley customer. In this current project the company has moved from the legacy Kahuna and Kaleido-X systems to the new generation of products that include K-Frame XP and Kaleido-IP systems
“We needed to transition to UHD, but without compromising performance or capacity,” said David Grimal, Broadcast CTO at RMC BFM. “The move to IP, based on a Cisco backbone, brought new challenges, but the continuity of staying with Grass Valley equipment gave us confidence to manage this shift effectively. Kaleido-IP was a logical step forward for us.”
About the switcher, RMC BFM’s Broadcast Infrastructure Manager Quentin Berthet said, “Shifting from Kahuna to K-Frame XP is not just a technical upgrade, but also a change in mindset and production capabilities. Grass Valley has taken the role of partner throughout this transition, ensuring interoperability and supplying the tools we need to deliver UHD content with reliability and flexibility.”
Scalable Foundation
According to Carlos Ferreira, Vice President of Sales, South and Central Europe at Grass Valley, RMC BFM’s move to IP and UHD is a landmark project for the French market. He said, “We’re proud to support their journey with solutions that not only meet today’s requirements and will also serve as a scalable foundation for future upgrades. This collaboration reinforces Grass Valley’s role as a trusted partner for customers evolving their production facilities.”
For Grass Valley, the project has a strategic side. It is one of the first transitions in France from Kahuna to K-Frame XP, easing the way for other media groups to follow. Future upgrades of other RMC BFM galleries are under consideration.
Grass Valley will be exhibiting at SATIS in Paris on 5 and 6 November. www.grassvalley.com
