Case Study: American Idol achieves broadcast-quality, low-latency remote production with LTN Global's LTN Flex

American Idol accelerated remote production journey during lockdown in spring of 2020

American Idol faced an abrupt production shutdown in spring 2020 and needed to replicate in-studio performances, judge-contestant interactions, and broadcast-quality video and audio while everyone was remote. LTN Global was brought in to solve the connectivity and latency challenges, deploying its LTN Flex remote production and transmission services and in-home kits built around the LTN Leaf Flypack to ensure reliable, low-latency links between talent and producers.

LTN Global implemented plug-and-play Leaf Flypack kits (iPhone, microphone, lighting, and Flypack), managed services from its NOC, and centralized switching via the LTN Network to connect 45 locations and handle live production. The solution enabled Fremantle to air American Idol’s first virtual show on April 26, 2020 and carry the season to a successful finale, which drew 7.26 million viewers, a 1.0 rating in adults 18–49, and a week-over-week gain of about 1.1 million viewers.

American Idol