Alternative Broadcasts With the Bucs: SportsNet Pittsburgh Provides Unobstructed Views' for Pirates Fans The first of six episodes aired Wednesday, April 30 vs. Chicago Cubs on SNP+, SNP360 By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor Friday, May 2, 2025 - 10:24 am
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SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP), the broadcast home of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates, is offering fans numerous ways to watch their beloved Bucs this year. Airing exclusively on SNP+ and the SNP360 app, the Unobstructed Views alternative broadcast relies on SNP production personnel and the infrastructure at its facility in the Steel City as well as on remote workflows that bring in special guests.
It's about meeting fans where they are and how they want to experience the game, says David Koppett, senior director, production and operations, SportsNet Pittsburgh. Alternative broadcasts like Unobstructed Views help us appeal to and grow varied audiences - whether they prefer this format or are just looking for an occasional change.
Max Talbot (left) and Michelle Crechiolo hosted the final episode of Unobstructed Views during Golden Knights-Penguins on March 11.
Safe at Home: Bespoke Production Team Handles Operations at the Facility The Pirates are receiving the alternative-broadcasting treatment, but they aren't the first franchise under the SNP umbrella to go down this path. Their National Hockey League neighbors, the Pittsburgh Penguins, hosted a full slate of digital-centric broadcasts throughout the 2024-25 regular season. The finale episode, on March 11 vs. the Vegas Golden Knights, was hosted by Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo and 2009 Stanley Cup winner Max Talbot. The games established an important roadmap that is now being used for the Pirates.
The Penguins' edition of Unobstructed Views proved we can generate compelling content in this format - not only for our Plus channel but also for our social and digital platforms, says Koppett. Viewer response and interaction confirmed that fans are hungry for new, complementary formats that bring them closer to the game and its personalities. Passionate sports fans in Pittsburgh want more than to just watch the games and hear what's happening on the ice or the field.
From left: Hannah Mears, Steven Brault, and Michael McKenry on the Highmark Hub set during a rain delay
During the Penguins' campaign, the show integrated well-known, respected, and familiar voices into the programming to create a special experience for each of the six episodes. For example, the final episode honored Women's History Month and the never-ending impact of women on the sport of hockey. Amanda Kessel, manager, minor league operations, Penguins/assistant GM, AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins; Jean Lombardi, original member of the Pittsburgh Pennies women's ice hockey team; and sideline reporter Hannah Mears were featured.
We saw firsthand the value of creating space for insider perspectives, candid conversations, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that traditional broadcasts can't always offer, Koppett explain. Fans got to see a different side of former players as they swapped memories, connected with the game on a personal level, and simply had fun together. For the Pirates version, we're building on that same emotional approach and bringing in guests who have close relationships with our hosts and special resonance within our city and its sports history.
2004 All-Star and Silver Slugger Jack Wilson (inset, bottom) joined the show in the 2nd inning.
With a successful formula for production in hand, Koppett and company focused on securing a sturdy tech infrastructure at the facility. Many of the workflows were replicated from the Penguins' version, but the production team wanted to expand the footprint of the Pirates' show to include all facets of their studio. For the first episode, on April 30, the trio of former Pirates pitcher Steven Brault, former Pirates catcher Michael McKenry, and Mears occupied the studio's Highmark Hub space during a weather delay.
The casual set is built to foster a relaxed and natural vibe that's more like a lounge than a broadcast booth, says Koppett. The Hub makes the game feel larger than life while freeing our hosts to move around with baseball props like bats and gloves in hand.
On the broadcast's casual set, Brault and McKenry watch and comment on the game.
The Hub deploys a Ross Furio 600 track camera system and a POV camera for hitting and pitching analysis. The main casual set, where McKenry and Brault spent a majority of their time during the Cubs-Pirates game, uses a jib camera and traditional hard camera. As they watch the game and give their commentary, remote guests join the show via Zoom. Former Pirates Jack Wilson and Josh Harrison spent some time during Wednesday night's 2nd and 4th innings, respectively.
Outside the studio, a dedicated production team comprising a producer, director, technical director, graphics operator, and Evertz DreamCatcher replay operator is housed in one of the facility's control rooms. Connectivity to PNC Park isn't an issue because the building can tap into the onsite mobile unit within the broadcast compound. The alternative broadcast receives a customized clean feed with cameras and scorebug data used on the linear broadcast.
Seeing the Game Differently: The Team Plots a Course for Future Alternative Broadcasts The alternative broadcasts not only are improving viewership but also allow the network to present the game of baseball to new demographics in an engaging way. To strengthen this audience's attachment to the sport, Koppett believes, the network needs to meet these fans where they're the most present.
Two-time All-Star Josh Harrison joined the al
