Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

NBA Travels to Abu Dhabi for Third Straight Year of Preseason Basketball

07/10/2024

NBA Travels to Abu Dhabi for Third Straight Year of Preseason Basketball League supplies English commentary for two games remotely from Secaucus, NJ By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor

Monday, October 7, 2024 - 2:26 pm

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

In what has become a yearly tradition, the NBA headed overseas to the capital of the United Arab Emirates for a couple of preseason matchups between the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets on Friday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 6. Despite the long hours of travel, the exhibition games represented two poignant facts: the league still has a global reach beyond the U.S., and the broadcasts offered its production and operations teams an opportunity to get ready for the 2024-25 season.

The NBA's international games provided memorable experiences to the crews who play a role in producing and delivering the excitement of these games to fans around the world, says Francesca Martinelli, SVP, broadcast operations and events, NBA.

In Abu Dhabi: NBA Staffers Adjust to Time Change, Hire Local Crew Members After celebrating a league-leading 18th championship over the summer, the Boston Celtics began their title defense on foreign soil. Similarly, the NBA shook off the offseason rust by producing two games thousands of miles from home.

For the third straight season, the NBA traveled to Abu Dhabi for two games between the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets at Etihad Arena.

It was an ambitious decision to begin this year's campaign of productions with a pair of international games, and the challenges were plentiful: the broadcast department had to decide who would make the trip, how they would adjust to the eight-hour time difference, and how they would pull off the broadcasts. To resolve the second issue, the crew that was to be onsite flew out earlier enough to get acclimated to tip-off times typically not seen in the U.S.: 6 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time.

The time difference certainly poses some challenges, particularly when troubleshooting unexpected issues, says Martinelli. We have a long history of hosting games internationally, and our extensive pre-planning process ensured smooth execution.

To resolve that first issue, the league sent a trio of its best to lead the onsite operation: Senior Manager, Broadcast Operations, Mary Mak; AVP, Broadcast Systems Engineering/Support Lead Eb Tesfalidet; and, from NBA Broadcast Engineering, Taki Kohiyama. For additional support, the NBA recruited local talent to round out the team of experts that would be needed for the two-day event.

We had to hire several local vendors for various positions, including producers, camera operators, and graphic operators, adds Martinelli. Pro TV, which produced the NBA Abu Dhabi games in 2022 and 2023, as well as the USA Basketball exhibition games in the UAE this summer, once again handled local production.

World-Feed Model: Video Feeds Were Sent to Secaucus, Redirected to NBC Sports Boston The most sophisticated aspect of the show was deploying a world-feed style of production. Since the Celtics were technically playing a home game, NBC Sports Boston was the league's main TV partner. Emanating from Etihad Arena, the host venue on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, primary video feeds were sent nearly 7,000 miles to league headquarters in Secaucus, NJ, via Eurovision satellite. Backup feeds were transported via SRT as a redundancy. Once the feeds arrived in New Jersey, the NBA redirected clean, camera, and clock feeds to NBC Sports Boston with the help of high-speed arena-network (HSAN) connections. The HSAN links were crucial, allowing the home regional sports network to remotely produce the games.

As the Celtics' home regional sports network, NBC Sports Boston remotely produced each broadcast via video feeds sent from NBA headquarters in Secaucus, NJ.

NBC Sports Boston had sideline reporter Abby Chin at the game and used LiveU to transmit her signal, says Martinelli. The NBA also delivered the game to Ball Arena in Denver for radio broadcast via HSAN.

In addition, English commentary and virtual signage were handled in Secaucus. With much of the league's efforts focused on transmission, the production simplified video acquisition, deploying nine cameras and three EVS replay servers to capture the action. U.S.-based viewers outside the Boston market were able to view the game on NBA League Pass, but, outside the States, the league also hosted two international broadcast partners at the venue for live onsite commentary.

Relying on Experience: Communication and Planning Allow a Smooth Weekend Producing two games miles from home isn't an audacious new task for the NBA. The league first forayed into Abu Dhabi two years ago, with the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks squaring off in two games in 2022. In 2023, the crowd in Abu Dhabi enjoyed a visit from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks. With three years' experience, the crew applied the lessons from the first two efforts to ensure success of future broadcasts from outside the country.

Effective and diligent communication among all parties, including the team liaising between in-arena operations/production and the local broadcaster, is critical to success, says Martinelli. Every game we produce outside the U.S. - whether in Abu Dhabi or elsewhere around the world - provides new learning opportunities, which makes these events even more exciting.

The Celtics were victorious in both games, including a 107-103 win in Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 4.

International games aside, the broadcasts are becoming an important tool for growing the league's broadcasting plan. Within a constantly innovating and evolving sports-video-production industry, it's critical that the crew is cognizant of the latest trends in production and sharpen their skills whenever possible
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/10/07/nba-travels-to-abu-dhabi-for-th...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

09/11/2025

Dalet Unveils Agentic AI Media Workflows at IBC2025

Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...

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 ...

17/09/2025

Tech Focus: Audio Training, Part 2 - Manufacturers Offer Extensive Online Learning

Tech Focus: Audio Training, Part 2 - Manufacturers Offer Extensive Online Learni...

17/09/2025

Tech Focus: Audio Training, Part 1 - A1 Shortage Remains a Major-League Challenge for Sports Broadcasting

Tech Focus: Audio Training, Part 1 - A1 Shortage Remains a Major-League Challeng...

17/09/2025

Dua Lipa's Service95 Book Club' Goes Live at the New York Public Library

It was the ultimate convergence of pop culture and literary prestige: Last night, Dua Lipa brought her Service95 Book Club podcast to the stage for a special li...

17/09/2025

The Gauge: Mexico August 2025

During August, streaming's share of TV viewing in Mexico showed an increase of 0.4% compared to the previous month, accounting for 25% of TV viewing. Discl...

17/09/2025

Jo Aun Joins FOR-A America as Senior Manager, Product Engineering

CYPRESS, Calif. FOR-A America has named Jo Aun as senior manager of product engineering, a new role responsible for guiding the planning, development and rollou...

17/09/2025

PlayBox Neo and CIS Group Power CazeTV with a seamless Pl...

PlayBox Neo, in partnership with CIS Group, a leading provider of media and broadcast technology solutions, has successfully deployed PlayBox Neo's Dual Cha...

17/09/2025

Energy Regulatory Agency Underscores Commitment with Ene...

In a relationship that mirrors societal advances in sustainability, Brightline Lighting and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Headquarters have en...

17/09/2025

Clear-Com Powers Star-Studded Communications at Houston A...

Clear-Com is proud to support the world-class productions of Alley Theatre, one of the oldest and largest nonprofit resident theatres in the United States. With...

17/09/2025

Arch Platform Technologies Announces Strategic Collaborat...

Arch Platform Technologies (www.archpt.io), a pioneer in automated, scalable cloud infrastructure for high-performance workflows, today announced a Strategic Co...

17/09/2025

With over 39bn EUR in assets under management and record-...

Over 300 selected decision-makers from start-ups, corporates, and VC funds worldwide will gather for the third edition of the event, united by a single goal: to...

17/09/2025

Telestream Celebrates Award Win at IBC2025

Telestream, a global leader in media workflow technologies, is excited to announce that its flagship Vantage platform and its next-generation AI capabilities re...

17/09/2025

Mediagenix Celebrates Triple Best of Show Wins at IBC2025...

Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions that profitably connect the right content to the right audience, proudly announces its three Best of Show...

17/09/2025

PlayBox Neo Appoints Transtel Universal as Top Reseller P...

In a move to further establish a firm foothold across South East Asia, PlayBox Neo, the well-respected name in broadcast playout and channel branding, has appoi...

17/09/2025

Wisycom Unveils Two New Solutions at IBC 2025

Wisycom, a global leader in advanced wireless audio solutions, announced two major wireless solutions at IBC 2025 (Stand 8.D30). This includes the Portable RF-o...

17/09/2025

Six Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards

Six Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards The recipients were recognized for their contributions to acclaimed programs Severance, The Studio, The Penguin, SNL50: The...

17/09/2025

Applications Open for Berklee in Santo Domingo

Applications Open for Berklee in Santo Domingo The weeklong contemporary music program will run January 5-10, 2026. By Colette Greenstein September 17, 2025 ...

17/09/2025

Ukrainian Students Find Creative Consonance' at Berklee Valencia

Ukrainian Students Find Creative Consonance' at Berklee Valencia Through ELIA's UAx Platform, six students from Kyiv joined Berklee Valencia for a week...

17/09/2025

Meet Kenna Hilburn, Avids New Incoming Chief Product Officer

Earlier this year Avid announced Kenna Hilburn as its new senior vice president of product. Recently Hilburn was promoted to Avids new Chief Product Officer, su...

17/09/2025

SES and K2 Space to Accelerate Development of Next-Generation MEO Network

Transatlantic collaboration combines experience and agility to drive innovation in network design and delivery Luxembourg, September 16, 2025 - SES, a leading ...

17/09/2025

Fox TV Stations Join Madhive's Local Live Sports Marketplace

NEW YORK Madhive has announced that the Fox Television Stations have joined its Live Sports Marketplace....

17/09/2025

Sony Electronics Partners with Newhouse School at Syracuse University

SYRACUSE, N.Y. Sony Electronics has announced that it is partnering with the Newhouse School at Syracuse University to provide state-of-the-art equipment, hands...

17/09/2025

Roku's First TV Smart Projector Now Available in the U.S.

SAN JOSE, Calif. Roku has announced that the first smart projector using its Roku TV operating system, the Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube, is now avail...

17/09/2025

Portrait Artist of the Year returns to Sky Arts with a dazzling line-up of celebrity sitters on 1 October

Wednesday 17 September 2025 UK artists capture icons of stage and screen, inclu...

17/09/2025

FOR-A America Appoints Jo Aun to Lead U.S. Product Development

Jo Returns to FOR-A as Senior Manager of Product Management and Engineering...

17/09/2025

AIR's Big Comeback with DPA Microphones

For the Moon Safari anniversary tour, AIR opened the doors to their backstage. Just a few hours before the Paris concert, DPA met with two key figures of the te...

17/09/2025

The Late Late Toy Show hits the road in search of Ireland's brightest young stars

Auditions will be held in Dublin, Cork and Galway The County Parade returns f...

16/09/2025

SVG All-Stars: Leigh Michaud, Manager, Remote Operations, ESPN

SVG All-Stars: Leigh Michaud, Manager, Remote Operations, ESPNThe UConn grad rose from ESPN's mailroom to become one of its most valuable ops leadersBy Bran...

16/09/2025

Live From IBC 2025: Friday's Latest From Halls 1-4, Outdoor Exhibits in Amsterdam

Live From IBC 2025: Friday's Latest From Halls 1-4, Outdoor Exhibits in Amst...

16/09/2025

Live From IBC 2025: Saturday's Latest From Halls 5-7 in Amsterdam

Live From IBC 2025: Saturday's Latest From Halls 5-7 in Amsterdam By SVG Staff Friday, September 12, 2025 - 17:00 Print This Story The SVG Europe and ...

16/09/2025

Live From IBC 2025: Sunday's Latest From Halls 8-10 in Amsterdam

Live From IBC 2025: Sunday's Latest From Halls 8-10 in Amsterdam By SVG Staff Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 17:00 Print This Story The SVG Europe and...

16/09/2025

Live From IBC 2025: Monday's Latest From Halls 11-14 in Amsterdam

Live From IBC 2025: Monday's Latest From Halls 11-14 in Amsterdam By SVG Staff Sunday, September 14, 2025 - 17:00 Print This Story The SVG Europe and ...

16/09/2025

Amazon Prime Video Picks Up Four Hours of Early-Round Masters Coverage in 2026

Amazon Prime Video Picks Up Four Hours of Early-Round Masters Coverage in 2026 By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - 10:15...

16/09/2025

VERSANT Inks Deal for League One Volleyball as Women's Sports Rights Slate Grows

VERSANT Inks Deal for League One Volleyball as Women's Sports Rights Slate G...

16/09/2025

ESPN VP, Corporate Communications, Katina Arnold Named SVP, Disney Advertising Communications

ESPN VP, Corporate Communications, Katina Arnold Named SVP, Disney Advertising C...

16/09/2025

IBC 2025 in Review: SVG Europe's Full Collection of Video Interviews From the Show Floor

IBC 2025 in Review: SVG Europe's Full Collection of Video Interviews From th...

16/09/2025

Celebramos 10 aos de Viva Latino en Spotify y el xito global de la msica latina

Hace una d cada, la m sica latina representaba apenas el 8% de las reproducciones globales en Spotify. Hoy, constituye m s de una cuarta parte (27%) de toda la ...

16/09/2025

Celebrating 10 Years of Spotify's Viva Latino Playlist and the Global Rise of Latin Music

A decade ago, Latin music made up just 8% of global Spotify streams. Today, it a...

16/09/2025

Spotify Welcomes Graham Norton and Select VICE Studios Content

Spotify is expanding our video lineup with a new partnership with Zoo 55, part of ITV Studios. For the first time, acclaimed content from ITV Studios is landing...

16/09/2025

One Enterprise, One Mission: Aligning the Supply Chain to the Warfighter

At DSEI 2025, James Dunne of L3Harris Maritime UK chaired a panel on aligning the supply chain to the warfighter, where leaders discussed modernising support fo...

16/09/2025

RTW chooses Calrec as technology partner

Calrec has strengthened its collaboration with audio metering expert RTW by integrating RTW's new TMxCore metering platform across its full range of Argo IP...

16/09/2025

Football and Back-to-School Dynamics Spark First Gains Since April for Traditional TV

College Football Scores Top Telecast in August with 16M+ Viewers on FOX, Followe...

16/09/2025

Index Exchange and Gracenote Team to Enhance Contextual Intelligence in Programmatic Streaming TV

Collaboration marks the first SSP integration of Gracenote IDs, enabling show-le...

16/09/2025

IBC2025 Attracts 43,858 Visitors

AMSTERDAM The organizers of IBC2025 are reporting that 43,858 visitors from more than 170 countries attended the event, which had more than 1,300 exhibitors and...

16/09/2025

Wooden Camera Releases Accessory Collection for FUJIFILMs...

Wooden Camera announces the release of its new Accessory Collection for the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55. The highlights of this collection include vital power soluti...

16/09/2025

AntonBauer Launches Free Cloud Platform for Smarter Batte...

Anton/Bauer, a leading manufacturer of mobile power solutions for broadcast and cinematic equipment, has announced the launch of Anton/Bauer Fleet Management, a...

16/09/2025

Teradek Launches Prism Jetpack - A New Era of 5G Video Co...

Teradek, a leading provider of video transmission and live production solutions, today announced the launch of Prism Jetpack, a groundbreaking 5G video contribu...

16/09/2025

Astera Reinvents Practical Lighting with SolaBulb

Astera, the leader in wireless LED lighting solutions, announces the ultra-versatile SolaBulb. Building on the success of the Astera bulb family, SolaBulb intro...

16/09/2025

TED2025 Relies on Clear-Com and NETGEAR to Power Producti...

As the world gathered at TED2025 to explore the provocative theme "Humanity Reimagined", Clear-Com , supported by NETGEAR networking infrastructure, delivered f...