A legend and a gentleman: The sports broadcasting industry pays tribute to Barry Johnstone By Will Strauss, Editor
Monday, June 27, 2022 - 10:14
Print This Story
Tributes have been pouring in for Barry Johnstone, the chairman of EMG UK and the founder of CTV Outside Broadcasts, who passed away last week.
The words' legend' and' gentleman' appear frequently in what are very heartfelt and genuine appreciations of his contribution to the sports broadcasting industry.
Johnstone died at the age of just 76, following a heart attack.
SVG editorial director Ken Kerschbaumer described Barry as being in equal part, industry colleague, friend, and even mentor. I was so looking forward to spending some quality time with him at the Open Championship and I will miss being called young Kenneth, sharing meals, laughs, and hearing his amazing stories. Miss you Barry. But what a legacy you leave behind both professionally and personally.
SVG Europe Advisory Board chairman Alessandro Reitano said: I remember him throughout the years as always being fun-loving, sincere, hard-working and fighting for the cause. And I remember very well when he took me on side after I was appointed Chairman of the SVG Europe Advisory Board and offered his help and support whenever I needed it. Most recently at NAB, I had a lively conversation with him about a social project that he wanted to implement in the SVG Europe group to help those working in sports broadcasting, which really typified his ongoing support for the industry. I will definitely miss him.
David Shield, SVP, director of engineering and technical worldwide at IMG Studios, and a former chair of the SVG Europe Advisory Board, knew Barry for more than 30 years. I have always counted him as a true friend, mentor and source of much respected good advice, he said. He was a great support to me personally in my time as Chairman of the SVG Europe Advisory Board, and he truly cared for our industry and the people who worked within it. He will be sadly missed by us all.
Shaun Gregory, the CEO of EMG, said: Barry held several board roles within EMG, most notably serving as our UK Chairman. However, he was much more than that, offering help and support to everyone across the EMG family. It's why this news has been so devasting for everybody, both within EMG, and across the industry. We've lost one of the good guys' and there's a void that no one else will ever be able to fill. Our thoughts are with Barry's family and I feel honoured and privileged to have worked alongside such an incredible person.
Inga Ruehl, Sky Sports, executive director of production and operations described his passing as a truly a sad day for the sports broadcasting industry, adding, Barry was a pioneer and icon in our field and truly left his mark. His exuberance and passion were so infectious and made it so wonderful to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.'
Steven Cozort of SCC Productions said: The word leader is what comes to mind when I think of Berry. He not only help lead the direction of our industry but led, guided and mentored a great number of individuals within the broadcast industry. God Bless and Rest In Peace, Barry.
Darren Long, formerly of Sky Sports and now an industry consultant, commenting on Linkedin, described him as a true legend in the OB world who will be greatly missed by all of us and someone I owe so much to for all his many years of support to me.
Andy Hayford, business development manager at ARRI Cine Technik said Barry was a real gentleman, who always had time and patience even when I was young and wet behind the ears' and continued to be passionate about his company and his team.
Greg Livermore, CTV Outside Broadcasts, technical project manager, said: Always up for a challenge, he would relentlessly chase down every opportunity. Around a table of professionals, you could get lost in his knowledge of the industry, its technology and its future. In truth, we worked for him, personally. We would have gone to any lengths if he had thought it the right thing to do.
EMG head of special projects and innovation Adam Berger added: For nearly 20 years I have been one of many who worked and laughed alongside Barry. He always quoted I am just a salesman he was so much more than that. He was an inspirational leader, a skilled negotiator, a tactician, a character, a friend, a gentleman, and a human being. The world will miss him. I just hope there's a large glass of Cloudy Bay waiting for him up there with Libby. Rest well Sport. Your legacy lives on.
Barney Francis, VP of global production at IMG said: A legend of the industry, and more importantly a wonderful man. So grateful to have shared some of his wise counsel over the last 25 years. Truly a very sad day. Love and thoughts to Barry's family and close colleagues. A very bright light has just gone out.
Roger Moffat, global head of playback analytics, Prime Video, said: The saddest news to enter summer. 30 years ago I ran VT operations for Barry's studio in St Johns Wood and his obvious passion for the business was infectious. Barry exuded confidence, and to borrow a phrase from my current home, customer obsession. He was the centre of gravity for an increasing number of extraordinarily talented editors, engineers and outside broadcast experts who were captivated by his vision and energy and propelled CTV to the fore. My condolences to his family. RIP Barry.
Paul Knight, who worked as Barry's private chauffeur between 2004 and 2020, described him as a kind and generous man with a well-developed wit.
He added: I never knew him to be anything other than a true gent. I always felt sure that he would be a fair but formidable adversary in the boardroom, although I can't imagine that he e
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
09/06/2026
Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Berklee Va...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Technology collaboration to validate AMPP and Lawo HOME orchestration integration, showcasing Dynamic Media Facility principles in practice.
Grass Valley and ...
09/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, today announced that Axel Springer SE, international media and technology company, has deployed Playe...
09/06/2026
LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video solutions, today announced a landmark deployment with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) that has brought Video ...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Two Alumni Win Tony Awards Mike Morris and Cedric Leiba Jr. won awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Play, respectively.
June 8, 2026
By
Tori Donahue
...
08/06/2026
The two execs discuss the goals and the challenges of building a huge multi-cult...
08/06/2026
This industry legend has been a road warrior since the early '90s and is, today, a lynchpin on College GameDay
The sports-production industry continues to ...
08/06/2026
DAZN has agreed a multi-year rights partnership with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), expanding its global combat sports portfolio.
DAZN will broadcast EFC...
08/06/2026
As fans move across broadcast, streaming, social, mobile and creator-led platforms, and they expect every angle, in real time, TVU Networks has released a new e...
08/06/2026
Infront has further strengthened the 2026 Diamond League's international bro...
08/06/2026
Grass Valley has announced the appointment of Sam Craig as Vice President, Global Pre-Sales. Based in the United States, Craig will lead Grass Valley's glob...
08/06/2026
SMPTE has announced its summer 2026 education lineup covering IP networking and SMPTE ST 2110, including two standalone courses, a 13-week boot camp, and a hand...
08/06/2026
Sportradar Group AG has announced a multi-year global agreement with Kalshi, a p...
08/06/2026
FIFA and Gamefam have announced the launch of a FIFA World Cup 2026 event on Roblox, running June 5 through July 31, 2026. The event centers on FIFA Super Socce...
08/06/2026
A collaboration of NHL Productions, Monumental Sports, and Michael Levitt Produc...
08/06/2026
CBS Sports production staffer Bryce Adair has died at the age of 31 after sustaining injuries during a car accident on Wednesday while in Ohio working the the P...
08/06/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
08/06/2026
WMT Digital today announced the launch of WMT Fan Intelligence, designed to unif...
08/06/2026
The Heat are the seventh NBA team to air their games over-the-air next season...
08/06/2026
Paramount and UFC have announced an expansion of their media rights partnership making Paramount the exclusive home of UFC Numbered Event main cards in Canada ...
08/06/2026
The Qatar Football Association (QFA), in cooperation with Sponix and broadcaster...
08/06/2026
Project B has announced the appointment of Host Broadcast Services (HBS) as Offi...
08/06/2026
The Buckeyes now produce and stream upwards of 200 sports events annually with a...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/06/2026
Dante interfaces, intercom and control systems for modern AV environments
Glensound will showcase a focused range of networked audio and intercom solutions fo...
08/06/2026
Bminty is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of T18, the new free national French DTT channel launched on June 6, 2025. This symbolic milestone also marks...
08/06/2026
DaVinci Resolve Used For Global Collaboration on Tony Foster Documentary
Brie Clayton June 8, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio and Blackmagic Cl...
08/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
08/06/2026
FOX One, FOX Sports and Indeed Name Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto as FOX One C...
A legend and a gentleman: The sports broadcasting industry pays tribute to Barry Johnstone By Will Strauss, Editor 
