Secure Live Streaming for the HMS Queen Elizabeth Naming Ceremony

When Queen Elizabeth II officially named the Royal Navy’s largest-ever warship, thousands of people gathered at Rosyth Dockyard to watch.

WaveFX helped take the ceremony beyond Scotland, delivering a secure corporate live stream to BAE Systems staff at locations around the world.

The client brief

Working alongside Broadsword Productions, WaveFX was asked to stream the complete two-hour naming ceremony for HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The broadcast needed to reach BAE employees who had contributed to the aircraft carrier but couldn’t attend the event in person. Because it was an important private company broadcast, access also needed to be secure and straightforward.

Viewers had to be able to watch from specially installed video walls, office computers, laptops and mobile devices.

“For all involved a true demonstration of the UK at its best.” Philip Hammond, Defence Secretary

Audience size and locations

More than 5,000 guests, shipbuilders, sailors and dignitaries attended the ceremony at Rosyth Dockyard.

The secure broadcast connected the event with BAE teams at 15 sites across the UK and additional company locations overseas. This allowed many of the people involved in building the carrier to share the occasion live.

Guests at Rosyth included Prime Minister David Cameron and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and senior representatives from the Royal Navy.

Platform used

The ceremony was distributed by satellite to a private, password-protected webcast website.

Staff could watch through:

  • LED video walls at BAE locations
  • Desktop computers and laptops
  • Tablets and mobile phones
  • Secure embedded video players

The private platform prevented general public access while making the webcast simple for authorised employees to open.

Production setup

A live programme feed from Rosyth was encoded and sent by satellite to the secure streaming platform.

The production included:

  • Live satellite transmission
  • Secure password-controlled access
  • Distribution to multiple BAE locations
  • Compatibility across large screens and personal devices
  • Live monitoring throughout the ceremony
  • A complete recording of the two-hour event

Secure corporate live streaming challenges and how we addressed them

The webcast had a fixed schedule and a global audience, so there was no opportunity to delay or restart the ceremony. The satellite connection and online player were tested in advance, with the feed monitored throughout the broadcast.

Viewers were joining through different office networks and devices. We prepared the stream to work across large LED displays, computers and mobile screens without requiring specialist software.

Security was another priority. The password-protected website restricted access while allowing staff at multiple locations to join through one consistent viewing page.

Measurable outcome

WaveFX delivered:

  • Two hours of continuous live coverage
  • Secure viewing across 15 UK locations
  • Additional distribution to international BAE sites
  • Viewing on video walls, computers and mobile devices
  • A password-protected online platform
  • A complete recording for future use

The broadcast gave BAE employees around the world a shared view of an important moment in British shipbuilding and Royal Navy history.

Planning an important private broadcast?

WaveFX provides secure corporate live streaming for company announcements, ceremonies, conferences and employee events across the UK and internationally.

Call Jamie or Chris on 01223 505600 or email hello@wavefx.co.uk to discuss your webcast.