HBS Launches U.S. Based Subsidiary to Focus on Concacaf, New Opportunities

HBS (Host Broadcast Services) has launched a U.S. and North American subsidiary in Miami that will make it easier for HBS to manage current and future projects in North America. The entity will be focused on managing the current projects HBS is working on in the U.S., as part of its recently extended contract with Concacaf, as well as generating new business in the territory with future missions.

José ‘Platao’ Rocha has joined HBS as Managing Director of a newly launched U.S. subsidiary.

The move comes on the heels of a deal with Concacaf last November that calls for HBS to produce a number of competitions through the end of 2026 in the Concacaf region. Those include the Gold Cup, W Gold Cup, W Championship, Nations League Finals and Champion’s League. HBS and Concacaf are developing a cloud-based archive solution and post-production service and a training program led by HBS’ Broadcast Academy. In addition, HBS’ scope will expand to include providing a long-term media server solution, post-production needs and support of Concacaf’s social media content strategy.

The branch will be led by José ‘Platao’ Rocha, who joins HBS in the role of Managing Director of the U.S. Platao has more than 25 years experience in the industry, most recently as VP of Development and Production at U.S.-based broadcaster DirecTV Latin America. He will primarily lead the business development in North America alongside Head of Production Enrique Rabasco and Matthieu Thebault, Head of Business Administration.

“Bringing someone onboard with the wealth of knowledge that Platao has, specifically in the American market, gives HBS a huge head-start as we begin to study the growth possibilities in the territory,” states Dan Miodownik, HBS CEO. “Combining HBS’ track-record and global experience with Platao’s understanding of the U.S. broadcast industry, and his connections, will be the catalyst for some exciting opportunities for us to keep evolving how we capture and distribute major sporting occasions.”

Adds Platao: “The role of Managing Director at HBS in the U.S. allows me to apply all I have learned on the receiving end of broadcast services to the benefit of others in the industry. HBS brings a unique approach, recognized worldwide, to major events. My job is now to identify the needs of the industry in North America and find solutions leveraging the wealth of knowledge developed by HBS over the last 20 years.”

The first event to be produced and delivered by HBS will be the 2022–23 Concacaf Nations League Finals and the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup events, held in June and July.