Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

CBS Sports HQ Builds Three New Studios in Fort Lauderdale, Revamps Graphics for Greater Focus on Sports Betting

21/11/2020

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
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/11/20/cbs-sports-hq-builds-three-stud...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

06/09/2026

Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Germany with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

04/07/2026

Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in Dolby Cinemas Across Japan, Presented in Dolby Atmos and Dolby ...

April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...

23/06/2026

Case Study: YES Networks IP Transition Expands Production Possibilities and Redefines Workflows

When we began planning our transition from an SDI-based infrastructure to a new ...

23/06/2026

Imagine Communications Appoints Greg Garmon as SVP, Americas Video Sales

Imagine Communications has announced the appointment of Greg Garmon as Senior Vice President, Americas Video Sales. Garmon will oversee account growth and busin...

23/06/2026

Snap Promotes Emma Wakely to Head of Sports and Media Partnerships, Americas

Snap has promoted Emma Wakely to Head of Sports and Media Partnerships, Americas, succeeding Anmol Malhotra, who has been elevated to Global Head of Content and...

23/06/2026

YES Network and Gotham Sports App to Air MI New York Major League Cricket Matches

YES Network and The Gotham Sports App will air MI New York's Major League Cr...

23/06/2026

HAND Issues Persistent Digital IDs to 2026 NBA Draft Class

The Universal Talent Identifier (HAND) has issued HAND IDs to 34 top projected prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft class, including AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and...

23/06/2026

World Boxing Launches World Boxing TV Streaming Platform

World Boxing has announced the launch of World Boxing TV, a subscription-based streaming platform built on the Joymo platform, offering live events, on-demand c...

23/06/2026

FloRacing to Stream 32 Off-Road Motorcycle Racing Events Including AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

FloSports will stream 32 off-road motorcycle racing events on FloRacing, includi...

23/06/2026

SES Adds 14 Regional Channels and New Set-Top Boxes to ASTRA TV in Spain

SES has announced the expansion of its ASTRA TV platform in Spain with the addition of 14 regional channels in HD and UHD quality and the launch of new hybrid s...

23/06/2026

Appear Supports Rede Legislativas Contribution Workflow for Brazils TV 3.0 Trials

Appear ASA has announced its role in Rede Legislativa de R dio e TV's contri...

23/06/2026

PBS Selects LTN for Nationwide IP Video Network Across 330 Member Stations

LTN has announced that PBS has selected it as its IP video partner to modernize content distribution and contribution across more than 330 public television sta...

23/06/2026

Ease Live Powers Interactive Experience on Rally.TV for WRC

Ease Live has announced that its graphics overlay platform is powering an interactive fan experience on Rally.TV, the official streaming platform of the FIA Wor...

23/06/2026

Chyron LIVE Adds Haivision StreamHub Integration, SCTE-35 Ad Insertion, and Switcher Updates

Chyron has announced updates to Chyron LIVE, its cloud-native live production pl...

23/06/2026

ESPN Announces ESPN Fan House, Fan Engagement Hub Powered by Flowcode

ESPN has announced ESPN Fan House, a fan engagement hub powered by Flowcode, launching in August ahead of the 2026 college football season. Publicis Sports will...

23/06/2026

Sennheiser Relocates Americas Regional Hub to Nashville

The city's solid position in broadcast, entertainment, and sports attracted the major microphone manufacturer Sennheiser Group is moving its Americas Regio...

23/06/2026

Violet Audio's dMix 128 now shipping

128 channels of signal routing & DSP Announced just before the NAMM Show 2026, Violet Audio's latest digital audio matrix offers 128 channels of signal ...

23/06/2026

Minimal Audio launch Memory Rites

Latest Current expansion created by EPROM Minimal Audio have just launched the latest Current Expansion, Memory Rites. Designed in collaboration with renown...

23/06/2026

Undertone Audio's MPEQ-1 goes virtual

Popular hardware EQ gets official plug-in emulation Undertone Audio have just launched a new plug-in that brings one of their most popular hardware designs ...

23/06/2026

Colorfront Support for AWS CDI Unlocks New Potential for Cloud-Based Visual Effects and Content Creation

December 7, 2022 Colorfront (colorfront.com) - the multi-award-winning develope...

23/06/2026

Colorfront Delivers Even More AI Automation Power and Extends Technology Partnerships with Dolby, Apple

April 23, 2026 NAB 2026, Las Vegas - the Academy and Emmy Award-winning develop...

23/06/2026

IAB Tech Lab Releases SupplyChain v1.1

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

Besco to Represent PlayBox Neo in South Korea

PlayBox Neo appoints Besco as Channel Reseller to establish a firm foothold in Asia Pacific's thriving high-tech export-driven economic boom PlayBox Neo, t...

23/06/2026

PBS Selects LTN to Power Nationwide IP Video Network

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

PBS selects LTN for nationwide IP video network

LTN, a global leader in IP-based video transport and network services, today announced that PBS has selected LTN as its IP video partner to modernize and future...

23/06/2026

The LiveU Q Era Arrives in ANZ with the LU900Q at ABE2026

LiveU will introduce its Q Era to Australia and New Zealand for the first time at ABE2026 on Stand No. 25, (July 30 31). Leading the showcase is the LU900Q, a n...

23/06/2026

Miri Technologies Ships V410 Live 4K Video Encoder-Decode...

Miri Technologies Inc. has begun shipping its highly anticipated V410 live 4K video encoder/decoder for streaming, IP-based production workflows and AV-over-IP ...

23/06/2026

DHD SX2 and TX2 Consoles Go On-Air at Radio Tzafon

DHD audio reports the completion of an upgrade to the audio production facilities at the Galilee headquarters of Radio Tzafon. The station broadcasts two progra...

23/06/2026

Nagravision Launches Nagra Venturi Security Offering

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

ITN Expands Programmatic Local TV Platform

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

Warner Bros. Discovery Taps AWS for New AI-Powered Ad Tech

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

Study: Younger Viewers More Distracted But More Receptive to Ads

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

Chilevisin, ClaroVTR Tap Pixop for 4K FIFA World Cup Feed

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

23/06/2026

Imagine Communications Names Greg Garmon as Senior Vice P...

Multifaceted Growth Executive Brings 20+ Years of Experience Leading Organizations Across Tech and M&E Imagine Communications today announced the appointment ...

23/06/2026

Australians in Film and Screen Australia's talent development initiative UNTAPPED returns for 2026

Australians in Film and Screen Australia's talent development initiative UNT...

23/06/2026

Visual Productions Unveils RdmRelay2 Four-channel Relay Control at InfoComm 2026

Visual Productions Unveils RdmRelay2 Four-channel Relay Control at InfoComm 2026 Brie Clayton June 22, 2026 0 Comments New Relay Solution Combines DMX, ...

23/06/2026

SMPTE Makes Its Standards Freely Accessible, Opening Standards Library to the Global Media Technology Community

SMPTE Makes Its Standards Freely Accessible, Opening Standards Library to the Gl...

23/06/2026

UKTV and BBC Entertainment join forces on first joint comedy entertainment co-commission

23rd June 2026, London: UKTV and BBC Entertainment have unveiled a joint co-comm...

23/06/2026

Gugu Mbatha-Raw leads Sky Original supernatural thriller Possession in first teaser

Also starring Jonny Lee Miller, Sheldon Shepherd and Bel Powley, the ambitious f...

23/06/2026

Arqiva response to DCMS Green Paper

The priority now is a clear and credible plan June 23, 2026, Winchester, UK - Arqiva, the UK's leading communications infrastructure provider, welcomes tod...

23/06/2026

RT AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNOUNCE RT TOY SHOW APPEAL GRANT AWARDS 2026

The RT Toy Show Appeal has raised over 31 million since its inception in 2020 ...

23/06/2026

NVIDIA Powers Over 400 of the World's 500 Fastest Supercomputers

News Highlights: NVIDIA technology runs 81% of the TOP500 and 90% of the systems new to the list. 26 systems on the TOP500 adopted the NVIDIA Grace CPU, up ei...

23/06/2026

How Businesses Are Building Specialized AI They Can Trust

Companies are asking how to build specialized AI that fits with the way their workflows actually run. The first wave of enterprise AI was about access. Compan...

23/06/2026

June 22, 2026

Newly identified molecule strengthens the eye's response to damage in retinal disease Scripps Research discovery finds that restoring the naturally occurrin...

22/06/2026

Behind the Mic: SportsCenters Lisa Cohn to Retire This June From ESPN as Longest-Tenured Anchor

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...

22/06/2026

Cosm Appoints David Ho as Chief Legal Officer

Cosm has announced the appointment of David Ho as Chief Legal Officer, a newly created executive role reporting to President and CEO Jeb Terry. Ho will oversee ...

22/06/2026

Warner Bros. Discovery and AWS Announce AI-Powered Advertising Technology Platform

Warner Bros. Discovery and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced the developm...

22/06/2026

Daktronics Completes Audio Control System Upgrade at Petco Park for San Diego Padres

Daktronics has completed an audio control system upgrade at Petco Park in San Di...