Dutch broadcast services provider Broadcast Rental has announced the launch of Broadcast Rental UK as part of its continued international expansion strategy. The new UK operation will officially begin trading in June and will be led by former Gravity Media executive Matt Coyde, who joins the business as Managing Director.

Broadcast Rental UK will initially focus on wireless camera systems, RF services and dry hire rental equipment, while also supporting overseas flypack projects for UK-based clients. Paul Chamalaun, Chief Commercial Officer at Broadcast Rental, said the UK expansion had been under consideration for several years as the company looked to build on its international growth. “Broadcast Rental, as it is now in the Netherlands, is already more than 15 years old,” said Chamalaun. “Over the last 10 years, the company has become a more specialised partner in wireless camera systems and large flypack setups.” Chamalaun said the company had grown significantly in recent years and now employed 18 staff, the majority of whom specialise in wireless systems and flypack operations.

“We felt we had reached a point where we were capable of delivering services at the highest level worldwide,” he said. “At the same time, we recognised there are natural limits to growth when operating from a single territory.” He added that Brexit had made the UK a distinct market requiring a local presence.

“The UK is a hugely important market for broadcasting, sport, live music and events,” Chamalaun said. “We felt the best way to respond to that was by creating a dedicated UK operation.” Coyde said the business was currently in a “startup phase” while finalising operational arrangements, including office premises at Shepperton Studios North. The company plans to establish a stocked UK base during the second half of the year, with initial investment focused on RF systems and dry hire rental equipment. Additional equipment may initially be supplied from the Netherlands operation before further dedicated UK investment later in the year.

“The whole philosophy, especially in the startup phase, is to understand what type of equipment is most needed in the UK,” Chamalaun added. “That way, we can invest directly in what our partners and clients need.” Chamalaun also confirmed that the UK operation would work closely with the Netherlands business, with both entities sharing resources and services.

Coyde said the company’s approach would focus on collaboration within what he described as a specialist market sector. “We don’t necessarily want to go in and compete aggressively with the rest of the market,” he said. “We are operating in a niche market where collaboration and partnership are definitely the way forward.” The business will target a broad customer base including broadcast facilities providers, production companies, broadcasters and rights holders.

“The Broadcast Rental brand is already strong internationally and is recognised within the UK market,” Coyde said. “There are many UK companies operating overseas, particularly on large-scale productions.” Coyde also said the company would explore opportunities to introduce specialist camera technologies and services into the market through strategic investment and partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers. “There’s a broad range of opportunities for us,” he said. “We want to talk to people, listen and continue developing the service.” Chamalaun said smaller independent companies could offer advantages in an increasingly complex market environment.

“We’re seeing more and more across Europe, including in the UK, a need for smaller and more agile companies that can adapt quickly without the complexities often associated with very large organisations,” he said. Broadcast Rental said its initial focus would remain on supporting existing UK customers already working with the company internationally, while gradually expanding its domestic operations and services. As an independent business, it will continue to prioritise quality of service and innovation while remaining flexible and adaptable to the evolving needs of the broadcast industry.