Suspilne Ukraine has presented a new digital complex for full-cycle production of digital content at its central office in Kyiv. The space combines a newsroom, editing stations, and a studio, allowing content to be produced from concept to release in one place.
“Our goal was to create a space where the entire production cycle takes place in one room. It is important to note that this is a huge step for our team: previously, all content was created in an adapted meeting room in the newsroom with a single camera. Now the team can work in conditions that meet their needs,” said Serhii Kysil, Head of the Multimedia Production Department of the Suspilneʼs News Department.
Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of Managing Board of Suspilne Ukraine, thanked the donors for their support in implementing modern technologies and developing digital production:
“Without the support of donors, this project would not have been possible. We value the partnership that helps Suspilne Ukraine grow and move forward.”
Khrystyna Havryliuk, Chief Producer of Suspilne Novyny, noted that this project is the result of the efforts of many teams.
“I sincerely thank everyone who participated, from technical staff to the grant department. I often came here late at night or on weekends, and there was always someone working here. For us, the opening of the studio is also a way to reward the digital news team for their hard work in the face of a full-scale invasion. Now we will be able to provide fundamentally different quality content on the Suspilne Novyny YouTube-channel,” she said.
In the newsroom, the team generates ideas and plans for future formats. This is the first point in the production cycle where editors can work in real time without interfering with the studio’s work.
The complex also houses editing rooms with isolated sound zones, which are built on the principle of maximum process automation.
“Most of our formats will be aimed at live recording and live broadcasting, but there may also be projects for editing. There are special areas for this. Many processes are designed so that one person can control the entire broadcast or recording — from program selection to distribution. Extended configurations are also possible, but this differs from a classic editing suite in that a minimum number of people are required to create the product,” explained Serhii Kysil.
The complex’s studio is equipped with three robotic cameras and modular decor.
“The studio can be completely reconfigured for any format: news reviews, explainers, interviews, podcasts. Everything here is movable — from shelves and walls to lighting. We are limited only by our imagination,” says Serhii Kysil.
Dmytro Khilchenko, Member of the Managing Board of Suspilne Ukraine, responsible for production and technologies, noted that all future Suspilne Ukraine studios should be like this:
“This studio is extremely efficient. It can be dismantled in one day and reassembled in a new location in two. This is critically important during wartime. This is a philosophy that we want to scale across the country.”
It should be noted that the renovation and equipping of the studio was carried out with funds from the grant “Strengthening Independent Media for a Strong Democratic Ukraine,” which is being implemented by DW Akademie in cooperation with the Lviv Media Forum and Suspilne Ukraine with financial support from the European Union and co-financing from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Technical equipment for the new space was provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of its cooperation with Suspilne Ukraine. On November 17, representatives of Suspilne Ukraine and JICA signed an agreement on the third phase of the “Capacity Development Project for the Public Broadcaster of Ukraine.” The new phase continues the long-term cooperation between Ukraine and Japan aimed at modernizing Suspilne’s technical infrastructure and developing its team.
Photo: Anastasia Mantach / Suspile Ukraine
