Break Off: Sunset+Vine Pots BBC Snooker Contract with the Triple Crown

Break off: Sunset Vine pots BBC Snooker contract with the Triple Crown By Heather McLean

Friday, November 15, 2024 - 09:20

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Sports production company Sunset Vine is the new official production partner for BBC Snooker. Sunset Vine states this is a major milestone, marking the first time in over two decades that the prestigious contract has passed hands between companies.

Starting in November 2024, Sunset Vine has taken charge of delivering world-class coverage of one of the BBC's most iconic sporting properties, snooker's coveted Triple Crown which consists of The UK Championships, The Masters and The World Championships.

Grant Philips, executive producer of Sunset Vine Scotland, is leading the coverage. Speaking to SVG Europe, he commented on how the company is approaching the creative side of the broadcast for snooker. We're introducing a fresh look for our snooker broadcasts, with a new emphasis on live coverage, including nightly shows on BBC Four.

We'll kick things off with brand-new opening titles, followed by a revamped studio set, he continues. For the UK Championship and Masters, we're adding a dedicated reporter to bring more behind-the-scenes stories. In Sheffield, we've redesigned our studio space and added a dedicated analysis area where our on-screen team will break down various snooker shots.

He adds: Our approach to creating features and content is modern and efficient, utilising self-shooting producers and on-site editing. Additionally, our production team in Scotland handles remote match logging, which enhances our workflow and sustainable approach to this production.

Philips and his team intend to elevate the coverage and will offer more live snooker than ever before for BBC Sport, bringing energy, storytelling, and cutting-edge production techniques to one of Britain's most beloved sports.

There are challenges in producing snooker, says Philips, with the quiet atmosphere of the snooker hall being just one of them. He explains: These are the three most significant UK events on the Tour, so experimenting with rule changes or new technology is challenging due to the high stakes for the players.

The quiet playing environment means any new cameras must be almost silent to avoid disruptions. Space is also limited, particularly at the Crucible, but we have some innovative plans that we'll be rolling out over the next year.

For now, our biggest challenge is delivering every shot live, which remains a key focus of our Sunset Vine snooker coverage, he concludes.

Hot on the heels of securing the BBC Alba contract last year, Sunset Vine Scotland is fast becoming a powerhouse in sport production with a portfolio now covering snooker, football, rugby, bowls and shinty.

With a proven track record of fostering new talent and promoting diversity, Sunset Vine is setting the stage for a new era of sport production.

Peter Angell, CEO at Sunset Vine, adds: This contract is a gamechanger for Sunset Vine. It reaffirms our dedication to innovative sports coverage and dynamic storytelling. We're thrilled to further expand our portfolio across a diverse range of sports and this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Sustainability is also a core value for Sunset Vine, which they will actively implement by having a 100% recyclable set, key editorial messaging, on site fan experiences, and ecologically friendly transport plans.

LINK:	https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/break-off-sunsetvine-pots-bbc...
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