BitFire Networks Earns ‘Best Lockdown Solution’ at SportsPro OTT Awards

BitFire Networks has been awarded a bronze in the category ‘Best Lockdown Solution’ at this week’s OTT Awards from SportPro. The awards celebrate the pioneers of OTT and streaming in the sports industry. It was given for our work in the first-ever remote, virtual 2020 NHL Draft in deploying 75 simultaneous remotes and more than 100 total IP broadcast transport feeds.

Due to Covid-19, BitFire was commissioned by the NHL Network to solve a unique challenge for synchronizing all 31 NHL clubs from their respective locations, and more than 40 draft prospects located throughout North America and Europe as teams made their selections remotely via a virtual draft. BitFire was also tasked with providing more than 100 feeds to NHL Network’s facilities for its coverage of the two‐day event. With prospects covering a wide span of time zones, BitFire showed a high‐level of calm, professionalism and can‐do attitude to help produce a quality broadcast experience. BitFire provided the NHL Network with 37 servers for the NHL teams utilizing BitFire Transport Network. The company also provided more than 50 links to browser‐based FireBridge for communication contribution for draft prospects from around the world to the NHL Network.

“To receive this award in just our first year of business shines a bright, global spotlight on the depth of BitFire’s talent, technologies and solution-focused capabilities,” says Bob Sullivan, CEO of BitFire. “Our company was created by broadcasting experts who are professional and poised and aren’t afraid to take on challenges and create customized solutions for our clients. Our flexible and easy-to-deploy production solution was used again this year, in partnership with the NHL’s 2021 Virtual Draft, and we are so grateful to our partners for trusting us to deliver.”