Hong Kong Jockey Club Boosts Intercom with Riedel

Riedel Communications announced that the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), one of Asia’s most prestigious horse racing organisations, has significantly upgraded its communications backbone with a future-ready intercom system serving Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses and the Sha Tin Communications & Technology Centre (SCTC) studio. Delivered in close collaboration with systems integrator New Digital Technology Holdings Ltd., the project builds on HKJC’s successful use of Riedel’s Bolero wireless intercom since 2018 and establishes a unified platform for both wired and wireless communications. This milestone also marks the first deployment of a SMPTE ST 2022-7 redundant Artist structure in Hong Kong, integrating Artist-1024 with HKJC’s existing Artist G2 infrastructure under tight timelines.

“Reliable, flexible communication is essential for our operations,” said Mazy Li, Manager – Broadcasting Operations at HKJC. “With Artist-1024 and 1200 Series SmartPanels, we can configure key functions quickly, mute or alarm panels individually, and maintain seamless connectivity across all venues. Riedel’s support throughout this process was exceptional — from responsive customer service to software development assistance that helped us resolve configuration challenges and go live smoothly. This upgrade gives us the stability and scalability we need for future expansion.”

The deployment includes two Artist-1024 frames and over thirty 1200 Series SmartPanels, forming the backbone of HKJC’s expanded intercom network. This system spans nine critical rooms, including audio server rooms, audio control rooms and DV rooms at both racecourses, as well as three production control rooms at SCTC. Designed to support HKJC’s demanding live productions — which can run for eight hours non-stop on race days — the network delivers high-capacity, redundant connectivity using SMPTE ST 2022-7 and AES67 audio-over-IP. Integration with Dante ensures seamless routing of programme audio, IFB and commentary signals between the intercom system, audio mixers and third-party devices.

The upgrade also migrates HKJC’s Bolero wireless intercom to the new Artist-1024 backbone, creating a unified platform for wired and wireless communications. The 1200 Series SmartPanels provide advanced functionality such as individual key muting and alarm features, while Riedel’s Director software enables fast, intuitive configuration through a drag-and-drop interface — reducing downtime and simplifying workflows for directors and operators who frequently adjust key assignments.

Prior to this upgrade, HKJC relied on an Artist G2 system and older intercom panels. The transition required careful integration to maintain compatibility with legacy panels, VoIP trunks and call/conference functions, while eliminating single points of failure. The project also addressed technical challenges such as AES67 audio loss during stress tests and Dante clock synchronisation issues, ensuring a stable and resilient system for race-day operations.

“This deployment demonstrates how Riedel technology can meet the most demanding requirements of live production environments,” said Ryan Lau, Regional Sales Manager South-East Asia, Riedel Communications. “Integrating Artist-1024 with legacy systems under tight timelines required precision engineering and close collaboration. Beyond delivering redundancy and IP flexibility, this solution provides HKJC with a platform that is ready for future growth and evolving workflows.”