By Bill Ray for The
Register.
This story has been reproduced with permission.
The man who brought us both Jesus Christ Superstar and Sarah
Brightman told the Standard that Ofcom's plan to auction off
spectrum could mean "the end of musicals". We presume he just means
in the UK. As far as we know, the FCC has no plans to kill off Miss
Saigon.
When Ofcom auctions off the analogue TV frequencies between 2008
and 2012, the nearby frequencies used for wireless comms in
theatres will form part of the sale, cutting off luvies across the
country.
Currently spaces between the analogue TV channels are managed by
the Joint Frequency Management Group, who license it at a low cost
to various theatrical agencies for wireless microphones and
intra-theatre communications.
A modern musical is awash with wireless connectivity: a popular
show such as Lord of the Rings uses over 50 separate wireless
microphones, has radio controls for lighting and uses an assortment
of Wi-Fi networks to manage everything from ticket sales to
automations and stage safety. Shows on tour frequently have to
employ an RF specialist just to manage their own usage, especially
when performing near the military who sometimes have a cavalier
attitude towards frequency usage.
Ofcom are claiming that they can’t make an exception for one
industry, but even if the theatrical agencies could afford to pay a
full market value for their frequencies, it isn’t clear who would
manage allocations which may be needed for a day, a month or
several years; depending on the kind of show being staged.
There are some digital technologies which have the potential to
reduce the frequency requirement, but none are yet considered high
enough quality for theatre. So unless something changes we’ll
certainly see a lot less wireless being used in theatres across the
country theatres across the country, with an associated limit on
what play writes and their luvvies can do on stage, though if Lord
of the Rings is the best they can manage then the loss might be
bearable.
© The Register
2007
