University of Arizona: scaling broadcast capabilities with Riedel Communications

The University of Arizona has undergone an upgrade of its communications infrastructure on an ambitious scale, levelling up the institution's broadcasting ability in a way that is befitting of the sharp, academic minds who choose to study at the university.

This upscaling integrates advanced intercom technologies from Riedel Communications. The deployment, supporting the university’s increased production demands following its entry into the Big 12 Conference, includes 15 Bolero wireless beltpacks, over 20 PunQtum digital partyline beltpacks, the Riedel Artist-1024 matrix intercom platform, and more than six 2300 Series SmartPanels.

With UofA now responsible for over 125 ESPN+ broadcasts annually — two to three times the volume of previous seasons — the need arose for a scalable, reliable, and user-friendly communication solution.

“We needed something that could grow with us, adapt to different types of productions, and be intuitive enough for both professionals and students,” says Mike Patton, multimedia specialist at the University of Arizona. “Riedel offered that flexibility. Bolero gives us unmatched wireless freedom, and PunQtum has been a huge asset in getting more people on comms efficiently and affordably.”

The PunQtum wired beltpacks are now integrated into the core workflow, providing reliable communication for fixed operator positions such as replay and graphics. Bolero delivers full wireless mobility across multiple venues, including the McKale Centre and Arizona Stadium. A key operational improvement was the elimination of buzzing interference, particularly during long cable runs in the football facility. The Artist-1024 matrix ties the system together, facilitating rapid reconfiguration for simultaneous events.

Patton highlights the resulting efficiency gains: “The ability to rapidly switch between sports and event modes, from ESPN+ streams to in-venue live shows to external rentals like graduations, has been a game-changer. Before, we were manually rewiring systems. Now, we just load a file and go.”

The main broadcast control room, which serves as the hub for ESPN+ productions, runs on Riedel’s SmartPanels. The system’s IP-based design allows for future expansion across the university’s fibre network, with the softball and track facilities next on the roadmap. The deployment showcases Riedel’s hybrid approach, combining high-end wireless capabilities with scalable, IP-based partyline solutions like PunQtum, supported by Dante and existing network infrastructure.

“As an alum of the University of Arizona, it’s a proud moment to see the Wildcats stepping confidently into the Big 12 with such a modern, flexible communications system,” says Ben Gabrielson, head of vertical sales at Riedel Communications. “What’s even more exciting is knowing that students are learning on the same professional gear used across the industry. It’s not just an investment in production quality — it’s an investment in the future workforce.”

The network integration has dramatically reduced setup times. “With everything connected via Dante and deployed across our fibre backbone, setup times have been cut dramatically,” Patton explains. “For football, what used to take two hours now takes minutes. We just bring the packs, and they’re live.”

Riedel’s support team and systems integration partner AVI-SPL assisted in bringing the system online for the start of the football and basketball broadcast season. Further expansion of antennas, endpoints, and venue integrations is planned.