A Legend and a Gentleman: The Sports Broadcasting Industry Pays Tribute to Barry Johnstone

29/06/2022

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

LINK:	https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/a-legend-and-a-gentleman-the-...
	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 ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

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

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026