One–upmanship: Pinnacle lands Big Weekend contract

Telecoms firm Pinnacle has won the contract to run broadcast services at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend concert at Hackney Marshes this weekend, which will feature Jessie J, Leona Lewis and Rihanna.

The Stirlingshire-based firm will broadcast the concert using internet (IP) connections rather than traditional satellite links, making it the BBC’s largest internet broadcast.

The concert – which will also feature Florence and the Machine, Kasabian and Will-I-Am – is the UK’s biggest free-ticketed festival.

Alan Bonner, chief executive at Pinnacle, said: “It’s great to be delivering BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend again.”

The contract is the latest in a series of deals for Pinnacle, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Grand National and the Trooping the Colour.

Pinnacle also supplied services at the diamond jubilee for the BBC, CNN and other broadcasters.