Formula E and Tata Communications ink multi-year collaboration

Formula E and Tata Communications have today announced a strategic multi-year relationship with the global comm-tech company becoming the official broadcast distribution provider to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. 

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, now in its ninth year, features GEN3, the third-generation Formula E race car which represents a huge leap in technology that pushes the boundaries of EV development.

The new agreement will see Tata Communications deliver high-definition, high-resolution and high-speed live broadcast content to viewers around the world as part of Formula E’s new remote broadcast production of live races, reducing the environmental impact typical of major live international sports events on TV.

Tata Communications’ technologically advanced, software-defined media edge platform will deliver more than 160 live video and audio signals from Formula E races across continents within milliseconds, using 26 media edge locations across North America, Europe and Asia.

The new super-fast race broadcast distribution will be supported by Tata Communications’ specially trained experts, providing round-the-clock global end-to-end managed services at all 16 races this season. Tata Communications and Formula E are also working together to further enrich experiences for motorsport fans with innovation and efficiency.

Today, viewers around the world will be able to follow the action live as 22 drivers from 11 teams including Mahindra Racing, Jaguar TCS Racing, Maserati MSG Racing and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team compete in the 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix. 

The Hyderabad E-Prix is the first of four new races on the 2023 Formula E calendar. The other major cities to host the world’s first electric racing series for the first time are Cape Town (South Africa / February 25), Sao Paulo (Brazil / March 25) and Portland (USA / June 24).

Tata Communications’ software-defined platform will deliver more than 160 live video and audio signals from Formula E races within milliseconds.

Jamie Reigle, CEO, Formula E, said: "Formula E is an intense tour given its on-the-go nature. Tata Communications' support over the years has enabled state-of-the-art remote production possible, with real-time TV signal transmissions from the race venues to our broadcast centre in London and finally to the audience's screens. Thus, bringing down multiple logistical challenges, driving cost efficiencies, travel flexibilities for our employee, especially women, and reducing emissions."

A.S Lakshminarayanan, MD and CEO, Tata Communications, said: "There are 85 cameras capturing the event for over 400 million people watching all over the world. To be able to facilitate that truly speaks about the power of internet that we have been able to leverage, with our dedicated media cloud and edge computing capabilities. And apart from our long-standing partnership with FIA, we extend the services to multiple major sporting leagues across the world."

Aarti Dabas, Chief Media Officer, Formula E, said: “Tata Communications will play a critical part in Formula E’s live race broadcast production and distribution. With Tata Communications’ innovative technology and expertise, we will deliver an enhanced viewing experience for fans and improved service for our 40-plus broadcast partners. The seamless track connectivity provided by Tata Communications ensures that the on-track action is captured and distributed in real-time, elevating the broadcast to a whole new level. This relationship makes a positive contribution in our mission to create a more sustainable future, and further demonstrates Formula E’s technical ambition and commitment to innovation. We are excited to work with Tata Communications on this exciting journey."

A part of the Tata Group, Tata Communications is a global digital ecosystem enabler powering today’s fast-growing digital economy in more than 190 countries and territories. The company states that 300 of the Fortune 500 companies are its customers and the company connects businesses to 80% of the world’s cloud giants. 

All images courtesy: Formula E

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