
CBS Sports HQ Builds Three New Studios in Fort Lauderdale, Revamps Graphics for Greater Focus on Sports Betting The new space will play off the original facility in Stamford, CT By Kristian Hernandez, Associate Editor
Friday, November 20, 2020 - 1:16 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
Since launching in February 2018, CBS Sports HQ has prioritized the wants and needs of sports fans who flock to digital-oriented outlets. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many networks to delay projects, the streaming channel cut the ribbon on three studios - one for morning and afternoon shows, one focused on fantasy programming, the third for podcasting - in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
We've been in the midst of planning for the last 18 months, says Kieren Portley, SVP/executive producer, programming and production, CBS Sports. We wanted to build out a facility that goes hand-in-hand with how we've transformed our business from a website to a multimedia destination.
Expanded Space: Diversified, Creative Dimensions Are the Core of Construction As an entity under the CBS Sports umbrella, CBS Sports HQ has indeed come a long way from its humble beginnings. With a consistent increase in media rights and other properties, the direct-to-consumer platform understood that this sudden influx would mandate physical expansion. Despite the pandemic, Portley and a pair of engineering experts - Director, Video Engineering and IT Operations, Dan LaTerra and Senior Video Engineer Keith Pryor - went to work on enlarging space atop the existing infrastructure in the channel's control room in Stamford, CT.
Anchor Chris Hassel on CBS Sports HQ's main set in the Fort Lauderdale facility
We had only one control room where we were trying to do a lot of things, says Portley. [Dan and Keith] have done an amazing job with figuring out how to distribute content and achieve what we want to from two different locations.
Having finalized an internal strategy, the team turned to third-party vendors for the construction. Diversified was called in to handle system integration of three production-control rooms. Creative Dimensions Production Designer James Yates took the lead on building the physical sets for each control room. When the dust settled, three studios came to an astounding 13,000 sq. ft. of space.
Given the nature of digital programming, CBS Sports HQ filled the control rooms with straightforward technology from a linear perspective: a Ross Video Carbonite production switcher and Inception for newsroom rundown, Dante audio workflow with Yamaha and Lectrosonics equipment, Dalet for asset management and video playout, RTS for intercom, Image Video for tally, and Grass Valley for video routing and multiviewers. The facility handles outside contributors' calling in from remote locations, via NewTek Talkshow.
We're relying on people that are using video-conferencing technology like Skype, TVU, LiveU, and BitFire Networks, Portley says. All of our writers and contributors are remote.
Betting Lines, Fantasy Advice: On-Screen Look Shifts From L-Bar to Enlarged Ticker The buildout of three studios inspired the network to rethink another aspect of production: the on-air graphics package. When CBS Sports HQ debuted 2 years ago, the layout of information relied heavily on a static L-bar format. Portley understood that, while the concept allowed a boatload of information to be updated and conveyed in quicker fashion, the L-bar occupied a lot of on-screen real estate and viewers became so accustomed to its position that they tended to look at it less often.
One of the three new control rooms is now the exclusive source for fantasy-sports programming.
The main thing that we want to deliver to our fans is data-dense, data-rich, and data-driven analysis, he says. A lot of people don't even realize [the L-bar was] there after a while, so we wanted a really pronounced ticker because we know that people read up to down and left to right.
The new design, developed by | drive | studio, still permits a steady flow of content but in a cleaner, more organized manner. In addition, segmented graphics near the bottom of the screen give viewers a better look at the new space and provide a nice home for the network's real-time sports betting. For this extensive rebrand, the digital network teamed up with longtime graphics partner SMT to integrate the new look.
We've taken over 90% of the data - whether it be fantasy [updates], power rankings, or scores - and put them in the ticker, Portley explains. We've expanded the ticker several centimeters and made it taller by over 33.5%.
The network wanted to add dynamics and movement to the package to catch the viewer's attention. Ross Video's XPression graphics powers the lower-thirds and other templates.
All of the content that we have in that right rail is contextually linked to what you're watching, he points out. If we're talking about [Arizona Cardinals quarterback] Kyler Murray and the Hail Mary touchdown that he threw against Buffalo, we can bring in a slider with data that tells the story of the play.
What Comes Next: CBS Sports HQ Focuses on Tech Advances for Content Creation The new graphics package changed from a static L-bar and to an expansive ticker at the bottom of the screen.
With five total control rooms (three in Fort Lauderdale, two in Stamford), CBS Sports HQ is sitting pretty after less than three years of operation. Heading into the future, its north star will be the ever-changing improvements in technology.
I learned this a long time ago from my days at ESPN: technology is content, says Portley. Without the technology, we can't deliver the content. Without a technological vision, we won't be able to create content. It's going to evolve and change, but technology
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
13/08/2026
LaLiga has renewed broadcast agreements with ESPN and DSports covering Spanish-l...
13/08/2026
Three days of skateboarding competitions, live music, and other programming will...
13/08/2026
Matrox Video will showcase its portfolio of IP and software-defined technologies at IBC2026 (Booth 7.B15, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14).
The portfolio includ...
13/08/2026
SMPTE will present expert-led sessions, professional workshops, and networking events at IBC2026. The organization will be located in the IBC2026 Owner Pavilion...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com will exhibit at IBC2026 (Stand 10.D29, September 11-14, Amsterdam), showcasing FreeSpeak Cell, Avalon IP Station, updates to Arcadia Central Station, ...
13/08/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Eran Binyamin Zeitoun as Senior Techn...
13/08/2026
Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, Orlando Magic, University of Miami join leading vendors for a day of gameday-production talk in South Florida
The 2026 SVG Venues...
13/08/2026
NBC Sports is producing the Twins-Phillies game alongside the streamer, which is...
13/08/2026
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 5, Booth 5.A21, September 11-14, Amsterdam), demonstrating cloud-based workflows across low-late...
13/08/2026
Dalet will participate in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, co...
13/08/2026
Cox Media Group (CMG) has announced multi-year local broadcast rights agreements...
13/08/2026
J nger Audio will join Fraunhofer IIS and industry partners to showcase a cloud-based, DTV+-compliant workflow at SET Expo 2026 in S o Paulo, August 17-20. DTV+...
13/08/2026
IBC has announced that Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will receive the Inte...
13/08/2026
NESN has partnered with WSBK-TV38 to broadcast Boston Red Sox games on August 17 and 18 over the air, extending the reach of the 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fun...
13/08/2026
LiveU and Panasonic LUMIX have announced the Live Anywhere workflow, demonstrated at NAB 2026 and InfoComm 2026 in collaboration with Social180Group. The work...
13/08/2026
Chyron will demonstrate its sports analysis, graphics, remote production, virtual production, and venue control solutions at IBC2026 (Booth 7.A23). This year...
13/08/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
13/08/2026
Season tips off Oct. 20 and runs through April 11; Christmas Day, NBA Cup, All-S...
13/08/2026
Company preview bio-interactive' synthesizer
VAEMI have announced the upcoming launch of a new standalone bio-interactive' generative synthesizer....
13/08/2026
Plug-in host gains new Slot Scenes feature
Ravine DSP have recently updated their innovative plug-in host, kitting it out with a new feature that brings yet...
13/08/2026
New Agreement Aims to Leverage Gracenote Infrastructure to Create More Relevant ...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
IBC today announced that its most prestigious honour, the International Honour for Excellence (IHFE), will be presented to Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), ...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced its participation in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Pro...
13/08/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its new application, dzjinius on-set , at IBC20...
13/08/2026
Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE), a leading European provider of media services, system integration and product development, will demonstrate an end-to-end sove...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com is returning to IBC 2026, taking place September 11-14 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. At Stand 10.D29, Clear-Com will spotlight the award-winning FreeSpe...
13/08/2026
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of Leader, PHABRIX and LeaderPhabrix test and measurement ...
13/08/2026
KRK Brings Advanced Wireless Control to Professional Monitoring With New V Serie...
13/08/2026
Anthony Noack Captures Artist's Journey in Estonia with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 12, 2026
0 Comments
Solo filmmaker documents concept...
13/08/2026
ARRI Image Science makes its mobile debut in the HONOR Robot Phone
Brie Clayton August 12, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays the HONOR Robot Phone, ...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Suitest's Test Automation Platform Simplifies Video Quality Assurance, Monitoring, and Device Certification Across the OTT Ecosystem
At IBC2026, Suitest, a...
13/08/2026
Cinegy GmbH, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, will have its key software solutions ready to demonstrate at SET Expo 2026 (18 20...
13/08/2026
Scripps Research has established the Peter K. Vogt Endowed Chair, a new faculty ...
13/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-A vaccine's molecular structure plays a key role in determining how the immune system responds and prepares to protect the body from future exp...
13/08/2026
Venera Technologies Showcases AI-Powered Innovations Across its Media QC Platfor...
13/08/2026
New U and U&W Documentary Features Kathleen Richards, One of the Last Surviving Witnesses to Fred and Rose West
Kathleen is Reunited with Childhood Friend and ...
13/08/2026
Thursday 13 August 2026
Official trailer released for the return of Tea with Ju...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
13/08/2026
Wenvoe serves over 1 million people across South Wales
13 August 2026, Winchester, UK - Vale of Glamorgan MP, Kanishka Narayan, has praised the engineering exp...
13/08/2026
RT 's Miriam O'Callaghan welcomed a range of specially invited guests to the National Concert Hall last week for a unique event to mark a new season wit...