Bigger, Better, More: How IMG is Upping Production Values For its Remote EFL Coverage, and Increasing Job Opportunities at the Same Time
03/09/2024
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 10:00
Print This Story
IMG's English Football League (EFL) production contract is a large-scale undertaking that utilises interesting broadcasting and connectivity technology and services, and has a useful additional benefit for the wider industry in the form of creating new job opportunities. One week into the new season, SVG Europe caught up with Peter Walker, senior producer, and Brian Leonard, head of engineering, to find out more about how it is done.
The start of the 2024-25 EFL season (9 August 2024) brought with it not just excitement and anticipation for supporters of the 72 clubs that make up the second, third and fourth tiers of football in England it also heralded a new era for televised coverage and distribution of the matches.
Domestically in the UK, 1059 games in the EFL, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy will be broadcast exclusively across existing Sky Sports channels or live via the new Sky Sports+ streaming platform.
Of those, after securing a new 5-year deal, IMG will produce 866 matches per season for Sky with the remaining balance produced by the pay-TV broadcaster for its main channel output.
IMG will produce a further 832 fixtures, making it 1698 in total, which will be shown outside of the UK via EFL rights holders Pitch International and Relevent Sports, who will distribute the feeds across the world. Clubs will also be able to offer their own output via their international streaming services to their fans outside of the UK. IMG is also producing a free-to-air terrestrial highlights programme for ITV.
We've been around all 72 stadiums, travelling over 80,000 miles, to upgrade the infrastructure and instal 25,000 meters of cabling, so that we can do the increased camera production
Not only is there an increase in the volume of matches being produced but the production values are being upped too. The big change is more cameras across every division with six cameras in the Championship (seven if you include the Hawk-Eye goal technology feed), four cameras in League One and two cameras in League Two - up from four, one and one cameras respectively.
EFL Cup matches will feature at least two cameras plus an up-scaled four-camera set-up for later rounds of the competition. All EFL Trophy matches will have a one-camera setup until the semi-finals.
Outside of Sky Sports' main TV selections, all broadcasts will also feature enriched in-game graphics, recaps and highlights.
And all of this will be done remotely, helmed from IMG's dedicated EFL production centre at Stockley Park in West London.
The prep and the workflow
We've been around all 72 stadiums, travelling over 80,000 miles, to upgrade the infrastructure and instal 25,000 meters of cabling, so that we can do [the increased camera production], says Brian Leonard, IMG head of engineering, outlining the overall workflow. Then we use an NEP Connect backbone to get the content back to Stockley Park.
In each stadium, we've got SDI cables and fibre converters to transform the signal from the camera positions all the way back to a Cabinet. From there, we have various redundant levels of fibre on NEP's network from 10G to 1G plus 1G that then comes back to us, which we then break out again. We have approximately 200+ incoming lines.
To capture the action on the pitch, IMG uses FlatBack4 Productions. They supply the camera operators and the cameras.
It's different from an individual production, where you can be fully focused on the editorial. But our approach is to consistently produce each match in the same way, so they all look the same.
It's ENG cameras for the first four cameras then we use Canon PTZ cameras for the 18-yard lines for all Championship grounds, continues Leonard. We can control the 18-yard lines from Stockley Park. At the moment. we're not really utilising that as much as we would like to but that's on the agenda further down the road.
Each league is standardised, using the same equipment, he adds.
In addition, every game potentially has three to four commentators. We've ramped up production by using a neutral commentator provided by IMG. Then there's a home bias commentator, an away bias commentator and then on top of that, we have the clubs themselves providing their own commentary.
All the commentary signals are delivered to IMG using SIP (Session Internet Protocol) trunking, and added to the world feed. The SIP tech replaces the old ISDN infrastructure. Commentators use IQOYA panels from Broadcast Bionics & Digigram.
Once the content arrives at Stockley Park, it goes into an IP matrix and is then routed to Riedel Simplylive production desks.
We've got 38 Simplylive desks ranging from eight channel desks all the way up to 12. So, those feeds come in, and then we do four TXs per match a broadcaster dirty, a clean, a feed to the stadiums, which is basically the world feed minus replays; and then the last one is for iFollow, the official streaming service for supporters of EFL Clubs.
Adobe Premiere is used to cut the highlights packages with a Helmut Adobe management operation provided by Jigsaw24. Content is sent to Sky using ATEME Titan encoders, making use of Amazon Web Services.
To deal with the volume of content, there is a big team involved.
On a typical Saturday, explains senior producer Peter Walker, there'll be over 200 people, either at Stockley Park or out at the stadiums. That includes all of the camera operators, replay operators, directors, highlights editors, commentators, engineers, and the production team as well.
For League 2, we have one operator per match at Stockley Park. For League 1 and the Championship,
LINK: | https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/bigger-better-more-how-img-is... |
See more stories from svg |
Most recent headlines
09/12/2024
Dalet Named an IDC Innovator in Media and Entertainment
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced that it has been named an IDC Innovator in the IDC Innovators: ...
09/11/2024
Dalet Expands Leadership Team to Fuel Next Stage of Growth
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced three new members of its executive team. Tara Bryant joins as Chi...
18/09/2024
Line up revealed for World's Most Dangerous Roads S6
Johnny Vegas & Lucy Beaumont and Babatunde Al sh & Kae Kurd arethecomedians taking part in brand new episodes of World's Most Dangerous Roads, which return...
18/09/2024
TV channel Gold's Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out is joined by celebrities Emma Bunton, Meera Syal, Ruby Wax and more
The nation's favourite comedy channel, Gold, is set to take a reflective loo...
18/09/2024
Press Release: ToolsOnAir Wins 2024 OEM & Developer Award from Blackmagic Design at IBC
Press Release: ToolsOnAir Wins 2024 OEM & Developer Award from Blackmagic Design...
18/09/2024
A Different Man Is a Triumph That Lingers Long After Credits Role
Warning: This feature contains spoilers about the film. By Bailey Pennick Aaron Schimberg kept it brief in his introduction before A Different Man had its wor...
18/09/2024
Mi Primer Escenario' ofrece a los artistas emergentes en Mxico la oportunidad de tomar el escenario en MEXCLA Spotify
Apoyar a los artistas emergentes es parte fundamental del ADN de Spotify. Ahora ...
18/09/2024
Mi Primer Escenario' Offers Emerging Mexican Artists a Chance To Perform at MEXCLA Spotify'
Supporting emerging artists is a fundamental part of Spotify's DNA, and we...
18/09/2024
Karmic lessons and laughs with new SBS podcast Comedy Karma'
Karmic lessons and laughs with new SBS podcast Comedy Karma' 18 September, 2024 Media releases Join the ever-curious stand-up comedian Aditya Gautam a...
18/09/2024
Clear-Com Supports the Next Generation of Media Professionals at Rise Academy Summer...
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
18/09/2024
Nielsen launches Advanced Audiences, enhancing digital campaign precision, reach and effectiveness across Australia and New Zealand
Sydney, September 18, 2024 - Nielsen today announced the launch of Advanced Audi...
18/09/2024
Heartland Video Systems Welcomes Industry Veteran Dan Whe...
Heartland Video Systems (HVS), a premier video systems integration and consulting firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Dan Whealy as Director of Busine...
18/09/2024
Clear-Com Supports the Next Generation of Media Professio...
Clear-Com is proud to have participated in the Rise Academy Summer School 2024, a transformative experience aimed at introducing young people to the dynamic wor...
18/09/2024
Amplify Berklee Honors the Legacy and Celebrates the Future of Berklee City Music
Amplify Berklee Honors the Legacy and Celebrates the Future of Berklee City Musi...
18/09/2024
Riedel Expands Its Range of NSA Network Stream Adapters
Riedel Communications today announced the launch of two new additions to its acclaimed Network Stream Adapter (NSA) series: the NSA-003A and NSA-006A. Unveiled ...
18/09/2024
WDR Relies on Riedel Backbone for Remote Production of UE...
The German regional public broadcaster Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) has implemented a Riedel backbone for communications and signal distribution for the ARD bro...
18/09/2024
Amagi Expands Footprint in Latin America with Mexico Entr...
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that it is entering the Mexican market. This strat...
18/09/2024
ITV to Modernize Its Media Supply Chain With Cloud-Native...
SDVI, the leading platform provider for cloud-native media supply chains, today announced that U.K. broadcaster ITV is deploying the SDVI Rally platform as part...
18/09/2024
Triveni Digital SCTE TechExpo24 Exhibitor Preview
ATSC 3.0 is gaining momentum across the U.S., and for cable operators, ensuring top-notch service quality is more important than ever. Monitoring the performanc...
18/09/2024
Amagi and BuyDRM Partner to Secure Streaming Video on Pla...
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced a partnership with BuyDRM, a leading content secur...
18/09/2024
Charter Bumps Up Broadband Speeds, Unveils New Bundle Pricing
STAMFORD, Conn. Spectrum has made a series of announcements that include a new simplified pricing strategy, increased broadband speeds and new customer service ...
18/09/2024
Lawo Doubles the Number of HOME Apps
Lawo has announced that its HOME Apps platform now hosts nine essential processing apps, effectively doubling the previous offering with more apps to follow in ...
18/09/2024
Gray, New Orleans Pelicans Announce New Sports Network
Gray Media is partnering with the New Orleans Pelicans to create a new network that promises to bring every non-national Pelicans NBA game to its viewers....
18/09/2024
Fox Weather Expands Distribution to DirecTV
NEW YORK Fox News Media has announced that Fox Weather, a free ad-supported streaming television service (FAST), is now available to DirecTV customers....
18/09/2024
NAB Show New York Exhibitor Insight TAG Video Systems
TV TECH: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2024 NAB Show New York?...
18/09/2024
Key Conversations With News, Sports Panels on Tap at NAB Show New York
Broadcast, media and entertainment leaders will gather once again at NAB Show New York in October to explore key innovations and strategies reshaping how conten...
18/09/2024
SCTE Foundation Rebrands
EXTON, Pa. The SCTE Foundation has announced a comprehensive relaunch of its efforts. The relaunch includes new branding that will be on display at the Georgia ...
18/09/2024
Viant Technology Launches New Programmatic Ad Solution, ViantAI
IRVINE, Calif. Viant Technology Inc. has launched ViantAI, an advanced AI-powered platform that it says will reshape how programmatic advertising is planned, pu...
18/09/2024
Blackmagic Design Announces Pricing for Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65
Blackmagic Design Announces Pricing for Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65 Brie Clayton September 17, 2024 0 Comments Revolutionary large format digital film...
18/09/2024
Avid | Stream IO ingest & playout solution now supports SMPTE 2110
Avid | Stream IO ingest & playout solution now supports SMPTE 2110 Brie Clayton September 17, 2024 0 Comments Avid's next-gen software-based produ...
18/09/2024
Telemundo's Celebrando Todo Lo Que Somos' Marks Hispanic Heritage Month
NBCUniversal's Telemundo Enterprises is marking Hispanic Heritage Month with year four of its multiplatform initiative with the slogan Celebrando Todo Lo Q...
18/09/2024
Hispano Soy' Marks Hispanic Heritage Month on Warner Bros. Discovery U.S. Hispanic Nets
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Warner Bros. Discovery U.S. Hispanic is la...
18/09/2024
MeTV Toons Plans Spooky Sundays in October
As Halloween approaches, MeTV Toons will feature frightful Sunday programming. On October 13, it's a scary Flintstones block 1-3 p.m., then Scooby-Doo! 3-5 ...
18/09/2024
TMZ Investigates Matthew Perry and His Death in Sept. 16 Special on Fox
TMZ takes a close look at actor Matthew Perry and the drug network that led to his death when TMZ Investigates: Matthew Perry & the Secret Celebrity Drug Ring a...
18/09/2024
Olympics Boost Broadcast, Peacock Viewing in August
The Paris Summer Olympics gave a boost to broadcast and popped on Peacock in August, according to Nielsen....
18/09/2024
Gray Forms Gulf Coast Network To Broadcast Pelicans NBA Games
Gray Media is forming a new venture called Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network that will carry all of the locally televised games of the NBA's New Orl...
18/09/2024
LG Study: Asian-American Viewers Prefer Streaming Ads
LG Ad Solutions shared a new report The Inclusive Screen: Asian Americans, which found that 70% of Asian Americans feel that streaming TV ads are more relevant...
18/09/2024
VideoAmp Says It Serves as Currency in $1 Billion of Media Deals
Measurement company VideoAmp said that $1 billion in media buys have already been guaranteed using its measurement as a currency this year....
18/09/2024
Kenny Smith Will Host Season 3 of Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward'
Kenny Smith, former NBA star and current TNT Sports analyst, will be the host of Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward for Season 3, which premieres Saturday, O...
18/09/2024
ESPN's Jimmy Pitaro Reflects on ESPN Turning 45, Launch of a New App in 2025, and the Role of AI, RSNs
ESPN's Jimmy Pitaro Reflects on ESPN Turning 45, Launch of a New App in 2025...
18/09/2024
Chicago Sports Network Agrees to OTA-TV Deal With Millennial Telecommunications' WJYS-TV
Chicago Sports Network Agrees to OTA-TV Deal With Millennial Telecommunications&...
18/09/2024
New Orleans Pelicans Ink OTA-TV Distribution Deal With Gray Media; Raycom Sports To Produce All Games
New Orleans Pelicans Ink OTA-TV Distribution Deal With Gray Media; Raycom Sports...
18/09/2024
Seattle Kraken Officially Launch Kraken Hockey Network, Promise Biggest Regional Production in the NHL'
Seattle Kraken Officially Launch Kraken Hockey Network, Promise Biggest Regiona...
18/09/2024
New Victory+ Free, DTC Streaming Service From Dallas Stars and APMC Goes Live
New Victory Free, DTC Streaming Service From Dallas Stars and APMC Goes Live In addition to all Stars games, Victory will carry Anaheim Ducks games this seaso...
18/09/2024
ESPN Looking to Hire Drone Pilot
ESPN Looking to Hire Drone Pilot By Ken Kerschbaumer Wednesday, September 18, 2024 - 4:30 pm Print This Story | Subscribe Story Highlights Have the ski...
18/09/2024
Only on Netflix! With Stars like Rodrigo Santoro and Rafael Vitti, Four Brazilian Films Are Starting Production From Bahia to Bariloche
Back to All News Only on Netflix! With Stars like Rodrigo Santoro and Rafael Vi...
18/09/2024
Haivision Wins Prestigious IBC Innovation Award for its Live Video Contribution Solutions over Private 5G Networks
Haivision Wins Prestigious IBC Innovation Award for its Live Video Contribution ...
18/09/2024
Eutelsat Group Secures Additional Launches in New Agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Photo credit: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd Press release - 18 September 20...
18/09/2024
2024-09-18
iPadOS 18 makes the iPad experience more versatile and intelligent than ever, and is available today as a free software update. iPadOS 18 brings incredible new ...
18/09/2024
Telespazio and ABS Partner to Deliver Enhanced Connectivity Services for the Brazilian Air Force System
Telespazio and ABS Partner to Deliver Enhanced Connectivity Services for the Bra...