MLB Returns: RSNs Take Over World Feed for All MLB Broadcasts, Customize for In-Market Fans Home RSNs will produce a feed to serve all MLB broadcasters this year By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Friday, July 24, 2020 - 3:36 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
Fox Sports Kansas City is using two trucks for one crew in order to socially distance its crew for Royals productions.
It's a whole new world for Major League Baseball broadcast operations this season: regional sports networks are taking the lead for live-game productions. To limit the number of people and facilities onsite, the league has opted to have the home-team RSN in each market produce a neutral/clean world feed of each game to distribute to the away-team RSN and, when necessary, the national broadcaster. At least for now, the days of two, three, and sometimes even four separate mobile units rolling in for a single game are on hold.
SVG is delving into how each RSN group is handling this new production model as part of its MLB Returns series to open the 2020 season. See below for an overview of the workflow and check out our in-depth stories on Fox Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Regional Networks, AT&T SportsNets, NESN, and MASN, with more to come next week.
How It Works: A Clean World-Feed Model AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will incorporate its 15- x 20-ft. The Hub LED wall into its MLB game coverage for away games.
Under the model set up by the league, the home RSN's production team is responsible for a producing a clean world-feed broadcast that presents a 50/50 (equal on-air-time), unbiased narrative of the game for both teams. This feed is delivered to the away RSN (and/or national broadcaster), which adds its own graphics, commentary, studio/shoulder content, and commercials. In addition to this clean feed, the away RSN is provided with one dedicated iso camera, which the director can weave in team-specific shots to help customize the telecast.
Nearly all RSNs are deploying their regular mobile units at the ballpark to produce these world feeds for home games. Many away RSNs are still using their truck at the venue, although several have opted to integrate their telecasts from control rooms in their studio.
The Announcers: Largely Located at the Ballpark, Some in the Studio NESN's Jerry Remy (left), Dennis Eckersley (center), and Dave O'Brien are calling Red Sox games remotely from the studio.
The majority of RSNs will position in-game announcers in the booth at the ballpark (albeit socially-distanced and sometimes is separate booths altogether) for home games. For calling away games, there is a more even split between the studio and the ballpark. Notably, NESN has opted to have its announcers call the action from the studio for both home and away games.
Away announcers will be tasked with calling games off-tube at their home ballpark or studio. The monitors feature a variety of live game feeds: program feed, all-9 angle of the entire field, dedicated iso camera feed, and quad multiviewer feed (provided by MLB Network) showing various ballpark POV cams of the bullpens, the scoreboard, dugouts, and so on.
The Audio: Simulated Crowd Noise and Mics on Players A Fox Sports Florida robo operator is located in the stands at Tropicana Field for a Tampa Bay Rays Summer Camp game.
The league has provided all teams with simulated crowd noise to play during games (derived from Sony Interactive Entertainment's MLB The Show videogame), and RSNs have been given the option to incorporate this audio into the broadcast mix. However, at least to begin the season, the overwhelming majority of RSNs have opted to take the crowd noise as part of the nat sound from the ballpark rather than mix it directly into the telecast. CLICK HERE for more on MLB's plans for simulated crowd noise.
With broadcasters looking to make up for fanless ballparks anyway they can, many are exploring miking and interacting with players during the game. Although this remains a case-by-case decision subject to MLB and MLBPA approval, most RSNs expect miked-up in-game interviews to play a major role in their coverage this season.
The Cameras: New Locations for Usual Gear, Robotics for Safety NBC Sports Chicago's truck will produce the world feed for White Sox home games at Guaranteed Rate Field. Photo: Greg Bowman, NBC Sports Chicago
While camera complements have remained largely the same overall, the bulk of the low positions have been moved farther from the field, quarantined with plexiglass to separate them from the players, or converted to unmanned robos.
In addition, the empty stands have provided broadcasters with more leeway in experimenting with new camera positions. By replacing some of the traditional low cameras with robotics, RSNs now can deploy those broadcast cameras with big lenses in other places throughout the field.
Many RSNs expect wireless RF cameras, typically focused on fans in the stands, to play a key role in providing a feel and ambiance for the ballpark without fans in the stands.
Virtual Signage: Home RSNs Get Boost With Virtual Advertising The majority of MLB teams have opted to institute virtual advertising as part of the home RSN telecasts, although some have elected to use the real estate for physical ads. Unlike the NBA and NHL models, where both home and away teams will have virtual-advertising opportunities, only the home RSN has access to virtual-ad inventory for MLB games. This marks the first time that virtual signage is being used for regular-season, non-national MLB games.
For the most part, virtual-signage elements are being inserted into the broadcast downstream at the network operations center rather than onsite.
The In-Market Telecasts: Customizing for Home-Team Fans Although all RSNs production execs SVG spoke with said that creating a high-quality wor
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
MLB Returns: RSNs Take Over World Feed for All MLB Broadcasts, Customize for In-Market Fans Home RSNs will produce a feed to serve all MLB broadcasters this year By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
