Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

ESPN Deploys Globe-Spanning REMI Production To Serve Australian Open to Viewers Worldwide

13/01/2025

ESPN Deploys Globe-Spanning REMI Production To Serve Australian Open to Viewers Worldwide Operation comprises staff in Melbourne, cloud editing in London, REMI team in Bristol By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Monday, January 13, 2025 - 2:13 pm

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

ESPN's Australian Open production shifted into high gear on Saturday, and the effort truly spans the globe, with staff onsite in Melbourne, a cloud-based edit in London, and a large REMI team in Bristol, CT, working on both the domestic and ESPN International effort (which also includes personnel operating in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico).

It has been nice to work our way back from the pandemic and have a presence in Melbourne, says Larry Wilson, senior manager, remote operations, ESPN, but there are efficiencies in doing it this way as we have found a balance. The REMI team has been incredibly supportive and creative in being able to produce such high-quality content for us over the years.

For the ESPN REMI team, the event stands alone on the yearly calendar. It's the biggest yearly production that requires a new sleep schedule: on-air days can run from 9 p.m. ET to 9 a.m. or even 10 a.m.

ESPN's Australian Open domestic control room in Bristol, CT.

The odd hours also make the event unique for the REMI teams not working in Melbourne. Notes Scott Chamberland, supervisor, REMI operations, ESPN, The individuals crewed in Bristol flip their life schedule for a month to make this project happen.

Mike McQuade, EVP, sports production, ESPN, says the folks on the team are thrilled to be in Melbourne to showcase world-class tennis to fans around the globe and the vibrant culture Down Under. Our incredibly talented team is uniquely qualified to navigate the challenges that come with creating and distributing content across a multitude of platforms and countries - some 10,000 miles apart - over nearly three weeks.

During those three weeks, the ESPN team in Bristol works out of Production Control Room D70, where all the domestic coverage is produced before the signals head to master control. Additional Bristol facilities include a production-support space, voiceover booth for International, and two tape rooms equipped with Evertz DreamCatchers. The tape rooms record all feeds coming in from Melbourne and are networked for content sharing.

Right now, McQuade adds, we're staffing 24 techs just from the REMI group alone daily, and they support our ESPN domestic and international footprint. As the tournament plays on, we will start getting clean camera feeds, which are integrated into the production. As the tournament play moves into the second week, our crews will shrink.

According to Wilson, 41 outbound transmission paths from Melbourne include 16 court feeds, press conferences, and other behind-the-scenes content. Each path runs through frame converters to change the frame rate from 50p to 59.94. Three of those 41 feeds, he explains, are solely for the ESPN International side, which can take whatever content they want for their purposes and audiences.

New this year is the use of the cloud for editing. Postproduction company CMSI provides infrastructure supporting a remote edit that is based in the UK and cloud-connected to feature producers in Chicago and North Carolina. The producers have their own interface to view the cloud-based work, Wilson explains. All the editing is happening in the cloud, allowing the producers to log in and watch the progress and check things out before it is sent to Bristol for integration.

An International Effort London isn't the only international location for Australian Open operations. ESPN International staffers in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada work to serve their viewers. According to Chris Calcagno, coordinating producer II, ESPN International/ESPN Deportes, two ESPN International control rooms in Buenos Aires are connected to Bristol. In a smaller control room in Bristol, all the feeds are coordinated before being output to the various platforms in Argentina, Brazil, and Canada.

In ESPN's Australian Open international control room: (from left) ESPN International/ESPN Deportes Producer Amy McTigue, Coordinating Producer II Christian Calcagno, Operator Austin Smith

We have a big facility in Buenos Aires, he says, where we put together the Spanish feeds for two simultaneous networks for the first eight days of the tournament. Many of the talent are based in Buenos Aires, but we also have talent in Bristol and Mexico as well as a reporter at the Open, who gets interviews. But everything gets incorporated in Buenos Aires for the Spanish-language side of things.

ESPN Brazil, meanwhile, has two control rooms in operation during the first eight days and has a reporter in Melbourne for its Portuguese broadcast. A TSN control room creates a channel for Canadian viewers.

ESPN International has a studio at the Australian Open so we can do interviews, says Calcagno, adding, It is also connected to Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, and Toronto.

Tennis Australia will be pushing innovation for the next two weeks, and the ESPN team around the globe is eager not only to deliver it to viewers but to be part of the official start of the 2025 tennis-major season.

The people who participate on this love tennis and love being part of this team, says Chamberland. This is my fifth year. Now I'm in a management role, so it's cool to see it from a different perspective. But we have the buy-in from everybody who participates, and that makes the end product that much better.
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/01/13/espn-deploys-globe-spanning-rem...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

06/10/2025

France Tlvisions Wins Prestigious 2025 EBU Technology & Innovation Award in Groundbreaking Collaboration with Dalet

France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...

04/09/2025

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Dalet Win Prestigious 2025 NAB Show Project of the Year Award

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...

04/07/2025

Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Tadashi Nakamura, the Filmmaker Behind Third Act

By Lucy Spicer Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...

04/07/2025

Spotify Partners With The Reading Agency to Bring the Summer Reading Challenge to Life Through Audio

The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...

04/07/2025

Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices

Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices Brie Clayton July 4, 2025 0 Comments A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...

04/07/2025

Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K

Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K Brie Clayton July 4, 2025 0 Comments Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...

04/07/2025

Create Any Planet in After Effects

Create Any Planet in After Effects Graham Quince July 4, 2025 0 Comments The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...

04/07/2025

Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion

Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025 0 Comments Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...

04/07/2025

NESN Gives Red Sox-Reds Matchup a Retro Makeover

Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...

04/07/2025

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for July Open Meeting

WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...

04/07/2025

Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SSD

Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...

04/07/2025

CANAL+ Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive

CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Brie Clayton July 3, 2025 0 Comments Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...

04/07/2025

Official trailer revealed for new season of BAFTA-winning Sky Original comedy Mr Bigstuff, coming 24 July

Friday 4 July 2025 Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Od5WpvWmDr8 Further...

04/07/2025

Join RT Radio 1 for The Pitch, a new series exploring the heart of Ireland's GAA Clubs

The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...

03/07/2025

Introducing: New Carts

For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...

03/07/2025

Introducing: Slider Drive Unit

One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit! Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit! Our i...

03/07/2025

Introducing: ARRI EVO 360

The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...

03/07/2025

Panther at BSC EXPO 2025

What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London! We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography. A huge thank ...

03/07/2025

"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode

ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...

03/07/2025

Advanced Communication Systems Unleash a Tactical Advantage in Modern Combat Operations

To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...

03/07/2025

Paramount's Ray Hopkins Joins Broadcasters Foundation Board

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....

03/07/2025

FCC Chair Carr Lays Out Infrastructure Policy Agenda

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...

03/07/2025

TV Tech's Top NextGen TV Stories of 2025

As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...

03/07/2025

Netflix Rolls Out AV1 Film Grain Synthesis Streams for Film Content

Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...

03/07/2025

FCC's Gomez, Sen. Markey, Critics Blast Paramount-Trump Settlement

WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...

03/07/2025

Riedel Communications Unveils RefSuite Sports Ecosystem

WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team

WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...

03/07/2025

CTA, NCTA, LPTVBA Meet With FCC to Oppose NAB's ATSC 3.0 Petition

WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...

03/07/2025

Dan Whealy Acquires Heartland Video Systems

PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....

03/07/2025

Filmmaker Jay Holben Releases The Directors Guide to Ever...

Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...

03/07/2025

Capturing the Moment - Pruski Photographs Dyke Day LA wit...

For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...

03/07/2025

New Reinvented Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit

Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...

03/07/2025

Dalet Flex LTS Release Elevates Content Workflows with Ne...

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...

03/07/2025

Lightware launches LARA Wizard to help integrators simpli...

Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...

03/07/2025

Alfalite obtains NCAGE and TAA certifications strengtheni...

Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...

03/07/2025

WIN streamlines complex live production with nxtedition

nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...

03/07/2025

ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies unite under one br...

ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...

03/07/2025

Evergent Proves Cross-Industry Power of AI for Japanese G...

Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team to Dr...

LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...

03/07/2025

Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender

Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender Brie Clayton July 2, 2025 0 Comments Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...

03/07/2025

Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams

Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams Brie Clayton July 2, 2025 0 Comments Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...

03/07/2025

Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Alpert Visiting Artist

Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...

03/07/2025

Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Third Season of the Brazilian Original Series 'Criminal Code'

Back to All News Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Thir...

03/07/2025

Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the third season of the Brazilian original series Criminal Code

Back to All News Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...

03/07/2025

Centralized Cross-Platform Campaigns and Unified Sales Workflows with WO Fusion

In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...

03/07/2025

** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Expo 2025

** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...

03/07/2025

Sky Arts Unveils New Mozart Season, Celebrating the Legacy of Classicals Greatest Maestro

Thursday 3 July 2025 David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...

03/07/2025

Sky announces 2025 Sky WNT Fund Recipients

The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025 Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...

03/07/2025

GeForce NOW's 20 July Games Bring the Heat to the Cloud

The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...

02/07/2025

Release Rundown: What to Watch in July, From FOLKTALES to Oh, Hi!

Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...