National Countdown: ABC NYE 2025 Live at the Opera House
For the 2025/26 countdown, the technical requirements were exceptionally high. Managing a live national broadcast with back-to-back performances requires a “Technical Engine” that is both versatile and bulletproof. WOOHAH delivered a bespoke LED and infrastructure solution that integrated seamlessly with the ABC’s broadcast requirements and the Opera House’s unique architectural constraints.
Our “Prime-Time Broadcast” solution for the ABC included:
- Custom Fabricated Logo Centrepiece: We supplied a specialised ROE CB5 LED Screen built into a custom-fabricated circular solution to serve as the main stage logo. This provided a high-impact, branded focal point that remained sharp and vibrant under both stage lights and the glare of the harbour fireworks.
- Broadcast-Grade IMAG Infrastructure: We deployed large-scale ROE CB5 IMAG screens, providing the on-site crowd with a front-row view of the star-studded lineup. These were calibrated for perfect colour matching with the ABC’s broadcast cameras, ensuring a consistent look across all screens.
- Integrated Teleprompter Solutions: To support the hosts, Charlie Pickering and Zan Rowe, and the evening’s performers, we provided integrated ROE CB5 Teleprompter screens. These were strategically placed to be discrete yet highly functional for the high-pressure live broadcast environment.
- High-Velocity Site Infrastructure: We engineered a Complex Video Infrastructure between the Northern Broadwalk and FOH. This system was designed specifically for “fast turnaround” between acts, allowing the technical crew to switch feeds and manage VJ content for a diverse roster of artists with zero delay.
- Expert Broadcast Technicians: Our team worked in total lockstep with the ABC’s production and broadcast units. As a repeat supplier for this event, our deep understanding of the site’s logistical challenges—from wind-loading on the harbour to tight security windows – ensured a flawless execution from the first note to the midnight fireworks.
Congratulations to the ABC, City of Sydney, and all the performers on another record-breaking broadcast. We are proud to be the trusted partner that helps Australia ring in the New Year.
