Marquee Sports Network Spotlight, Part 1: Inside the RSN's New ST 2110 IP Production Facility in Wrigleyville State-of-the-art studio is joined by Marquee's new MTVG ST 2110 IP mobile unit, unique game coverage By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 2:49 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
From the day pen hit paper on the deal to launch a new Chicago regional sports network, Sinclair Broadcast Group and the Chicago Cubs set their sights high, and nowhere is that more apparent than at Marquee Sports Network's new production facility in Wrigleyville. The new broadcast center, in what was formerly Cubs' staff offices, has been built from the ground up based on the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of media-over-IP standards and features the latest and greatest technology the industry has to offer.
Marquee Sports Network has built a state-of-the-art studio across from Wrigley Field.
We wanted to build a facility that would lend itself to flexibility and growth, says Deborah Schneider, VP, technical operations, Marquee Sports Network. As a new network that is developing its personality, we needed to be able to change and adapt to industry trends, and we wanted our production team to be able to dream big - kind of an If you build it, they will come' Field of Dreams philosophy. We have an incredibly knowledgeable and creative production team, and our technology choices needed to support that. We believe we've done that.
CLICK HERE for Part 2 of SVG's Marquee Sports Network Spotlight, focused on how the network was launched and adjusted during the pandemic.
Going 2110: Flexibility, Futureproofing, and Sinclair Synergy Elise Menaker (left), Sean Marshall (center), and Ryan Sweeney on-set at Marquee Sports Network's Wrigleyville studio
Early on the in the network's development, Sinclair Broadcast Group GM Mike McCarthy, his team of engineers, and Marquee's production team, lead by SVP, Programming/Production, Mike Santini, decided to build a state-of-the-art, IP-based ST 2110-compliant facility. In addition, Marquee enlisted Mobile TV Group to build out an ST 2110-based mobile unit, which resulted in the RSN's new 47 Flex mobile unit parked at Wrigley Field.
[The decision to go IP] has given us tremendous flexibility in the way we produce, move, and deliver content throughout the plant and mobile unit, says Schneider.
In addition to providing flexibility and future-proofing the facility, one of the chief reasons for going with ST 2110 was to more seamlessly connect Marquee with Sinclair's 21 other RSNs around the country, as well as with Tennis Channel.
We chose to use the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards as our foundation, says Don Roberts, VP, sports engineering and production systems, Sinclair Broadcast Group. One of our operational goals was to build a facility where we could share resources with other properties in our portfolio, specifically with our other regional sports networks and Tennis Channel. The technology we have in place will allow us to do that.
Inside the Studio: Plenty of LED in Front of the Camera, IP Gear Behind It Inside Marquee Sports Network's studio across from Wrigley Field
The new studio features a wealth of 1.58-mm pixel flexible LED displays controlled by an Avid PowerWall on-set graphics system. To offer a variety of looks, Marquee has several on-air setups that can be used within the same studio, including a three-person desk, a casual lounge area with a couch, and a Q&A area with stools. Analysts also have access to an on-air Vizrt Libero telestrator on a large LED display in the studio.
In our studio, our on-set graphics and LED displays give us a number of different looks that set us apart from a traditional studio production. We are able to tailor our backgrounds and put talent in a number of different settings to keep it looking fresh with every telecast.
Marquee has a dedicated PowerWall operator, who creates and plays out images, graphics, sponsorship elements, and video clips on these LED displays throughout the show.
It's like producing a whole second show in the background of the main show, Santini explains. In terms of the RSN level, it's a very large studio with all the bells and whistles. Even coming from [my previous work at] MLB Network, which I think sets the standard for studio [productions], it's one of the most stunning studios I've ever seen.
The facility is built around an Arista 7280 core IP SMPTE ST 2110 video router with Lawo VSM and Imagine Communications SDNO control systems, as well as Imagine Selenio Network Processor (SNP) gateways for SDI-to-IP conversion.
Talent and crew are all socially distancing inside Marquee Sports Network's new studios.
Marquee's control room features a Grass Valley K-Frame X with a Korona 3M/E control panel, Lawo C100 multiviewers, EVS XT-VIA replay systems, and Vizrt Trio graphics. Positions in the production control room have also been adjusted to ensure social distancing with the total crew inside the room going from 10+ to seven or less (for example, graphics has been relocated to an office rather than the PCR).
A Calrec Brio36 console handles the audio mix, and an RTS ODIN Intercom system keeps the crew connected.
Inside the studio are Sony HDC-3500 cameras (with HDCU-3100 CCUs) outfitted with Fujinon 18X 4K lenses and Cartoni P70 pedestals (along with a Jimmy Jib Triangle Pro Standard).
For postproduction, Marquee has brought in an Avid Nexis E4 storage system with 800-TB capacity and is using Avid Interplay Production Management. Editors use a mix of Avid Media Composer edit seats and Adobe Creative Cloud tools.
This is, no doubt, the most rewarding part of my career to date, says Schneider. I feel very fortunate to be part of launching a brand-new network for the
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...
Marquee Sports Network Spotlight, Part 1: Inside the RSN's New ST 2110 IP Production Facility in Wrigleyville State-of-the-art studio is joined by Marquee's new MTVG ST 2110 IP mobile unit, unique game coverage By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor 
