SVG Sit-Down: Broadcast Management Group's Todd Mason and Sean Wybourn on Power, Agility, Efficiency of BMG Cloud Control'

SVG Sit-Down: Broadcast Management Group's Todd Mason and Sean Wybourn on Power, Agility, Efficiency of BMG Cloud Control' BMG expands its cloud-controlled broadcast infrastructure By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 12:58 pm

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As Broadcast Management Group heads into its third year in the transition to cloud production, future potential is rapidly shifting to today's reality. With exponentially growing demand for cloud-broadcast-production services, BMG is bolstering its cloud-based offerings even further.

In 2021, the company designed and built the first cloud-controlled broadcast-operations center. Since then, it has steadily expanded its cloud-controlled infrastructure, rolled out several REMI mobile units and flight packs, and connected several client facilities to the BMG Cloud Control Center. The company has also enhanced its proprietary decentralized-staffing model.

SVG sat down with BMG CEO Todd Mason and SVP, Engineering, Sean Wybourn to discuss the Cloud Control Center, how the facility allows clients to meet content demand while reducing costs, the benefits of decentralized production teams, and what's on the horizon for BMG Cloud Control.

How does BMG's Cloud Control Production ecosystem work? And what are the primary advantages of using this workflow?

Wybourn: BMG Cloud Control is an all-encompassing solution that combines the power of the BMG cloud with our diverse range of services, from cutting-edge software solutions to state-of-the-art physical control rooms with top-of-the-line hardware. With the BMG ecosystem at our fingertips, we can seamlessly connect our clients to any solution in our repertoire, whether it be a basic single-camera production with stunning graphics or an expansive control room staffed by a team of experts situated in different locations around the country. The true beauty of this system lies in its infinite versatility: with endless possibilities at our disposal, all that's required is a simple connection with the client, and the magic of BMG Cloud Control can take over.

Broadcast Management Group's Todd Mason: The BMG Cloud Control Center provides the entire broadcast ecosystem.

How do decentralized production teams fit into the BMG Cloud Control Production model? And how does this enable productions to have the best possible crew regardless of location?

Mason: The ability for production talent to be decentralized has been a game-changer for us as packagers and for the talent. For over two years, we routinely have had producers, directors, graphic producers, graphic operators, scorebug, replay, and transmissions/comms engineer remote. In addition to having these people work from home, we have a spoke facility in Times Square for talent in the New York area who want to go to that facility. We have an audio-mix studio at the New York location for remote mixing.

We have higher utilization of our staff by cutting out the travel time. For example, If we were traveling one of our producers to a game, that would tie them up for three days; we can produce three games in that time. Freelancers have the opportunity to work on more games in that time. If we know we have a commitment for games on fixed dates but don't have the game's location, we can fill all the above-stated positions in advance since they don't travel to the game.

Broadcast Management Group's Sean Wybourn: Networks, sports teams, and OTT channels no longer need to build full-scale facilities; they can leverage the BMG Cloud Control Center.

Can you provide an example of an event (such as the esports event you mention) that deployed Cloud Control Production?

Wybourn: We were involved in an exciting event that revolved around using 5G technology, specifically mobile gaming. Our ambitious plan involved live streaming from a moving bus as it traveled through various towns along the East Coast, beginning in New York and continuing down the coast to Atlanta. We provided a reliable bonded-internet connection for the camera and gaming systems to facilitate the streaming. From the BMG Cloud Control Center, we set up a sophisticated software switcher that facilitated seamless camera cuts and allowed us to add stunning graphics in real time.

The director was at our New York spoke facility, while the producer followed behind the gaming bus in a separate vehicle with a multiview and reliable communication systems. This allowed constant contact with the team even as the bus was on the move. We also broadcasted the stream to multiple streaming platforms, making it accessible to a broad audience.

How can BMG Cloud Control Production be leveraged for live sports production?

Mason: The BMG Cloud Control Center is the centralized hub for all hardware and software. This equipment is accessed by production talent, and all signals from the game location connect to the BMG Cloud Control Center. BMG can route a game to a hardware-based control room or a software control room, depending on what is best for the game. For sports clients, the BMG Cloud Control Center can spin technology and talent up and down as needed, providing greater flexibility. We offer a variety of ways that a game can connect to the BMG Cloud Control Center, BMG REMI trucks, or any other production truck when we send a BMG REMI interface kit.

How does Cloud Control Production help content producers -sports networks, OTT channels, pro/college sports teams - meet quality, budget, and staffing needs?

Wybourn: Networks, sports teams, and OTT channels no longer need to build full-scale facilities; they can leverage the BMG Cloud Control Center. The saving includes short-term and long-term capital expenditures, real estate, and staffing costs.

BMG is a packager of sports. We also work with other packagers

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/02/21/svg-sit-down-broadcast-managmen...
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