Powering Global Live Media
Interview with Chris Demeulemeester, International Projects & Sales of Gravity Media Belgium N.V.
Gravity Media is trusted to deliver some of the world’s most-watched live sport and entertainment, including the UEFA EURO Championships, FIFA World Cup, Formula E, Tour de France, US Open, alongside premium entertainment like I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and The Voice. In this interview, Sales and Project Manager Chris Demeulemeester explains how the company evolved from a Belgian news provider into an international full-service media partner, why engineering expertise remains crucial in a rapidly digitalizing industry, and how people, flexibility and innovation continue to drive the business forward.
Gravity Media Belgium has been active in the audiovisual industry for more than 43 years. What started as a Belgian news-gathering company has evolved into an international media services provider for live production, transmission, studio infrastructure and end-to-end broadcast solutions. Today, the company is part of the global Gravity Media Group and employs around 380 people in Belgium and nearly 2,000 worldwide. Annual revenue reaches approximately EUR 100 million in Belgium and around EUR 500 million globally.
“Customers increasingly expect one partner for the entire production chain,” says Chris Demeulemeester. The company originally grew within a European cluster of audiovisual businesses before joining the British-Australian Gravity Media Group, supported by international shareholders including PAI, Banijay and Akkermans. Operational hubs today include London, Paris, Brussels and Hilversum. The company’s roots lie in news production for Belgian broadcasters such as VRT and DPG Media. A major turning point came after the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster, which accelerated the shift from film-based reporting to electronic live coverage. Over time, Gravity Media Belgium expanded into multicamera sports productions, satellite transmission, postproduction and studio operations.
Today, the company works for clients including NATO, the European Parliament, Warner Bros. Discovery, BBC and NOS, while also supporting productions such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and FIFA tournaments. Around 25% of revenue is generated internationally. “Media production has become completely global. One week we are in South Korea, the next in Washington or preparing projects in North America,” says Chris Demeulemeester. The company also maintains exclusive long-term framework agreements with several major institutions.
From technical supplier to full-service production partner
Gravity Media Belgium focuses on technical media solutions rather than editorial content. The company delivers outside broadcast vehicles, wireless systems, editing facilities, studios and large-scale live production management. One major strength is its operational expertise under difficult live conditions. “Anybody can buy a camera,” says Chris Demeulemeester. “But not everybody can make it work perfectly in difficult live conditions.”
As broadcasters increasingly merge with streaming platforms and digital providers, the company has evolved from a technical supplier into a full-service production partner managing complete workflows from production to transmission. This includes highly specialized engineering solutions such as wireless RF systems, satellite transmission, helicopter relay solutions and international connectivity infrastructures for major live events. Many of these services remain invisible to viewers. According to Chris Demeulemeester, productions such as the Tour de France rely heavily on Belgian expertise behind the scenes, particularly in graphics, wireless technology and live race transmission. “We prefer to let our customers shine instead of seeking the spotlight ourselves,” explains Chris Demeulemeester.
Digitalization and AI are becoming increasingly important throughout the industry. Gravity Media Belgium is integrating AI into operational analysis, workflow support and automated summaries while simultaneously investing in software-driven workflows and cloud solutions. At the same time, engineering expertise remains essential for multicamera productions and complex international events. Sustainability is another strategic focus. The company operates dedicated ESG initiatives, uses solar-powered studio facilities and is gradually introducing electric production vehicles. Carbon emissions from large productions are independently measured and compensated.
“Our clients expect real sustainability measures, not greenwashing,” says Chris Demeulemeester. Traditional marketing plays only a limited role within the company, while social media is mainly used for PR purposes. Internally, the group is also modernizing parts of its global digital infrastructure and website presence.