Leading broadcast connectivity expert NEP Connect (formerly known as SIS LIVE) has stepped up to the oche and extended its venue connectivity portfolio with TV coverage of the William Hill World Darts Championship in London in December and January.

The critical connectivity provider of choice is already well established as Europe’s largest supplier of satellite uplinks, and has now added Alexandra Palace to its rapidly expanding list of fibre linked venues.

NEP Connect is providing main vision and reverse vision on fibre for Sky Sports’ coverage of the World Championship from Alexandra Palace, as well as satellite back-up allowing switching to ensure continuous service, if necessary.

The World Championship will again be shown on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel, which will screen all the action from 17th December to 3rd January, to millions of viewers.

This year’s event follows hot on the heels of the Rugby World Cup, which saw NEP Connect supply all connectivity services throughout the tournament and underlined its position as the fastest growing UK broadcast media fibre supplier. NEP Connect’s rapidly growing fibre network already connects more than 100 venues, with more in the pipeline and the ability to provide live event streams.

David Meynell, managing director, NEP Connect, said: “This is another step in our growing connectivity portfolio and enhances our fantastic relationship with Sky Sports. We have demonstrated many times over the past year, our unique resources and exceptional people that combine to offer unrivalled, resilient connectivity services. World Darts is a fabulous addition for us and we are really pleased to deliver such excitement for Sky Sports customers.”

All feeds will be supported by NEP Connect’s broadcast teleport and network operations centre (NOC) at MediaCityUK, fully backed up by NEP Connect’s Milton Keynes teleport and NOC.

Keith Lane, director of operations for Sky Sports, said: “It’s the party of the year with huge characters, huge crowds and huge check outs.  But behind the World Championship is a serious live television operation to ensure if they can’t be there, Sky Sports viewers can enjoy the next best thing on our dedicated darts channel.  It’s vital we have a reliable and technically robust connectivity partner and NEP Connect was the obvious choice to work with.”

Sky Sports will offer unrivalled live coverage of the 2016 William Hill World Darts Championship across TV, online and via mobile and tablet devices with Sky Go.

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