Yle Radiopolku – The Biggest Reform Project in Finnish Radio History

In 2016, Yle launched an ambitious project to renew the radio broadcasting units at Yle’s Pasila campus, which were nearing the end of their life cycle. The goal was not only to revamp the old studios but also to enable new ways of working to meet changes in media consumption and future challenges in radio.

“The project aimed to harmonize radio and audio, focusing on mobility and easier maintenance. Our existing technology had reached its limit. Simultaneously, we wanted to transition to IP technology for the radio units and adopt a new working model for both solo and combo use,” explains Hanna Rossi, Head of Audio Production at Yle.

This type of reform had never been implemented in the Finnish media industry before. Although inspired by Swedish examples, the project for Yle required a custom design approach from the start, resulting in a tailor-made solution.

Overall, the project was strategic and, most importantly, unique, marking the largest reform project in Finnish radio history.

The project began with a large-scale call for tenders. The aim of this pioneering endeavor was to find partners with the best skills and expertise to meet Yle’s expectations for a renewed radio environment.

Media Tailor (former TV Tools) was selected to design and implement the media technology solutions for the project. The technology package also incorporated solutions provided by Lawo and Jutel.

IP-based system provides security and opportunities

The radio units were built to be fully IP-based, meaning that all audio now runs entirely over the network. This includes having all audio channels connected to a single hub, allowing material to be distributed anywhere.

“Thanks to IP, editing and publishing the material produced is easy and can be done within minutes of its creation,” says Ari Kaarnapuu, Head of Media Technology Operations at Media Tailor.

“The entire system is built on top of a fully secured network solution. It won’t collapse even in a hurricane. The longevity of the system is ensured by making maintenance as easy as possible.”

Yle has therefore strived to be ahead of its time in the IP transition. Not only does the IP-based system allow for flexible use, but it is also secure.

“The entire system is built on top of a fully secured network solution, so it won’t collapse even in a hurricane. The longevity of the system is ensured by making maintenance as easy as possible. Additionally, expanding the system has been made as easy as possible, as the media network allows for the easy integration of new units,” Kaarnapuu explains.

The move to cloud-based and IP-based production opens up new opportunities. Modern technology offers new ways to broadcast remotely, involve people in the broadcast, and use visuals as part of the broadcast.

Digitalization also enables the modern production environment to maintain the highest possible sound quality throughout the production chain.

Solo and combo units for shared use

One of the key criteria for this project was ensuring that the studios were built for shared use. Single-purpose units no longer met the evolving needs, so flexibility and versatility were essential.

Additionally, the equipment and technology across the units were standardized to facilitate seamless cross-use and easy maintenance.

“In the new units, tasks are better distributed between the control room and the studio. For live broadcasts, solo operation has become easier. Although occasional failures occur, the technology is designed to minimize the need to switch from one unit to another,” says Rossi.

The project included two types of units. In the 10 solo units, a single person can manage the entire broadcast independently. In the six combo units, a separate sound supervisor is present.

Regardless of the type, each unit can be operated without needing to learn unit-specific workflows. The equipment, interfaces, and overall arrangements are identical across all units.

“All units, whether solo or combo, are technically identical. They can adapt flexibly to any need, from sports to classical music,” explains Olli Aromaa, Head of Media Technology Solutions at Media Tailor.

Visual radio meets consumer demand

The implementation of the Radiopolku project has embraced the concept of “visual radio”. It means that development has strongly considered both audio and visual elements. Most of the radio units enable video recording of broadcasts and their streaming to Yle Areena.

This solution addresses the increasingly visual nature of radio culture.

“Our audience is accustomed to consuming video,” explains Vera Zotow, Channel Manager, YleX, Yle.

The video production system boasts modern features, including automatic control capabilities that enable seamless camera switching between studio hosts based on their speech. Each host’s designated seat within the unit is equipped with its own camera, complemented by an additional overview camera within each unit.

These studio enhancements are particularly evident to the hosts during broadcast production. With two PCs in each studio, hosts can conveniently manage the audio mixer using a touchscreen interface.

“The operating system was developed internally and tailored specifically to Yle’s needs. The starting point was ease of use, enabling quick adoption without extensive training,” describes Olli Aromaa, Head of Media Technology Solutions, Media Tailor.

A rocky road but a wonderful outcome

“How do you fly this plane?” queried Ville “Viki” Eerikkilä, opening his first broadcast in the new unit with this remark.

For a project as monumental and innovative as this, it’s important to anticipate the challenges that lie ahead. While the busiest phases of construction were felt during day-to-day radio operations, the implementation phase also encountered various teething issues.

“The primary question and challenge of the project revolved around whether the same solution would cater to everyone’s needs. After all, requirements vary from one channel to another and from user to user. Another challenge stemmed from the multi-vendor environment,” summarizes Jouni Kenttämies, Head of Radio and Audio Production at Yle.

Despite the initial challenges posed by new technologies, users have swiftly adapted to the new units, and operations have been running smoothly. Broadcasting has evolved, and current user feedback is not only positive but also improving all the time.

“Taking on a project of this scale, covering everything from backend development to the graphical design of the user interface, was a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, we’ve demonstrated that it’s possible to create a comprehensive product from scratch that perfectly aligns with the objectives set.”

The first Radiopolku broadcasting units were delivered as early as 2017, with the final unit completed in November 2023, resulting in a total of one core production environment, 16 production units, a test environment, and a test unit. The utilization rate of these units remains high, with most of them being almost fully booked during office hours, from eight to four.

“The most significant achievement of Radiopolku is undoubtedly our ability to address the diverse needs of our users effectively. We’ve laid a solid foundation for channels like YleX and X3M to seamlessly integrate visuals into their broadcasts. Concurrently, we’ve ensured that channels such as Yle Radio 1 maintain their exceptional quality standards,” concludes Kenttämies.

Throughout this extensive project, numerous individuals have played pivotal roles in its success. The Radiopolku team at TV Tools comprised 11 core members who, along with other teams within the company, contributed significantly to achieving project’s goals. Every individual involved in this journey, from both Yle and our partners, has been honored with the prestigious title of “Knight of the Radiopolku.”

“The project delivered successes across all fronts. Taking on a project of this scale, covering everything from backend development to the graphical design of the user interface, was a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, we’ve demonstrated that it’s possible to create a comprehensive product from scratch that perfectly aligns with the objectives set.” summarizes Aromaa.