Wimbledon 2024: All-New ESPN Broadcast Center Adds Flexibility and Focus to Coverage
11/07/2024
Thursday, July 11, 2024 - 16:55
Print This Story
It's been a year of change for ESPN at Wimbledon. Not only is it settling into a completely overhauled broadcast centre, complete with eye-catching new studios, but it's also working with a new vendor and adopting new broadcast video formats and a new production workflow.
Following an 18-month project, the roll out of a state-of-the-art new broadcast facility spread across two floors marks a transition to IP technology for ESPN. Following an extensive RFP, this year is also the first year of a new deal with EMG / Gravity Media.
We just went into a multi-year deal with EMG / Gravity, so this is their first time supplying our kit for the show, explains Larry Wilson, senior manager operations, ESPN. We were very comfortable with Gravity's technical solutions, as well as their pricing and the relationship that we've had with them on other slams, they also handle Roland-Garros, Australia and the US Open.
Going to RFP gave the team the opportunity to start from scratch and assess all the technologies and equipment that they wanted to deploy in the expansive new centre, which boasts expanded studio space, two new 1080p HDR control rooms, shared replay, graphics, and video areas, edit rooms and a whole host of technology innovations.
Sam Olsen, senior technical specialist, ESPN, adds: That was good to be able to specify an IP solution and switches with specific options and configurations that we wanted, the same with the audio consoles. We went all VIA in the EVS world and deployed a Riedel Bolero network across the site. And we continue the spirit with Gravity and with good partners, and we'll develop technology as it presents itself in the market.
Scale was one of the key reasons behind the decision to go down the IP route.
Olsen continues: The number of feeds that we take from hosts, coupled with the size of the system we have on site even as a rights holder, it made sense to go IP. We've got that scalability to continue to deliver whatever production asks for. The other thing is space. We've been able to put the engineers in a dedicated master control room and have a dedicated equipment room. But to fit everything into that, if that was done in an entirely baseband world, I don't think we would get everything into that room. So IP solutions just make sense.
As domestic rights holder for the US, ESPN is taking content from host broadcaster Wimbledon Broadcast Services (WBS) so a lot of production could be done simply by putting the world feed on air, however ESPN opts to significantly enhance its coverage and IP is also enabling this.
Wilson explains: We have 25 additional unilateral cameras, we have our own graphics, we have our own edits, we have a massive 19 VIA servers that are downstairs doing ingest and replay, two control rooms, all that to customise that content from WBS for an American audience.
Olsen adds: On top of that, we've got the news operation for doing anything outside of tennis coverage on our linear networks, if we need to service SportsCenter or any other news and incident analysis that can be done as well, so we're supporting international as well.
We're already thinking about next year and how we can continue to deliver efficiencies and from the point of view of looking at potentially IP CCUs and so on, which will allow us to free up some of the baseband nodes so we can handle more third parties, more graphics and more on screen enhancements.
ESPN's coverage is also benefiting from a new 900sqft studio space (Studio 3), which is enabling the production team to be more flexible in their broadcasts, while also showing viewers the beauty of Wimbledon thanks to a 34ftx6ft window overlooking Court 18.
Wilson says: The studio changes the way that production thinks about how they want to handle the broadcasts. They can shoot four different sets within that one set. They've got their touchscreen, they've got their mega wall video display, they've got their four-person desk, and they've got a sit down position.
In addition, studio 12 has been enlarged by combining two studios and moving a corridor wall back, providing a more relaxed space for interviews. This has become our up close and personal type of operation, but it still has a lineage to what we're doing in the major studio, says Jamie Reynolds, executive producer, tennis. We're modernising and bringing the whole presentation up.
Despite the high-spec new space, the ESPN team is partially remote, with some graphics being handled from Connecticut.
Wilson explains: It's what we call our remco model where we have the hardware here, but we've essentially set up machine control to go down to Connecticut. Libero [Vizrt's enhanced graphic telestration system] is operated the same way. We're also delving into cloud-based edit as well. We have edits on site here and we're also doing edits in Connecticut, Florida, with producers in Bristol [Connecticut] and Chicago.
We're making calculated moves. We do have on site facilities for editing and cloud based for the graphics as well.
Reynolds adds: What we don't necessarily want to have happen is to become so electronically savvy that we make it more attractive to do this from Bristol, Connecticut, rather than being on site. There are pitfalls with both. Yes, it can be economically smarter, fiscally more responsible, to do things from a remote site, but you lose the intimacy, the connective tissue, you lose the ability to say, if you believe you're the steward of the sport, with what we do with the majors, if we're there our presence helps establish the community and we can be reactive.
For
LINK: | https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/wimbledon-2024-all-new-espn-b... |
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...