The SVG Summit Preview: Everything You Need to Know for Next Week’s Big Show in NYC
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The SVG Summit returns to New York City on Dec. 11-12 for two full days of industry-focused Main-Stage Panels, Deep Dives with major sports networks, informational Workshops, state-of-the-art Technology Exhibits, and, of course, plenty of time to network and catch up with old friends. Registration is now closed for The SVG Summit (CLICK HERE for a spot on the waiting list), but if you already have your spot here is an in-depth look at everything this year’s SVG Summit has to offer.
DAY 1 WORKSHOPS (Dec. 11)
Exhibit Hours: 12:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Rhinelander Gallery, 2nd Floor
SVGW Networking Breakfast
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rendezvous, 3rd FL
SVG Diversity & Inclusion Workshop
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Rendezvous, 3rd FL
Live Production Workshop: AI, IP & Remote
10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Gramercy Suite (East & West), 2nd FL
Sports Cloud Production Workshop
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Murray Hill Suite, 2nd Floor
Cybersecurity Workshop
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Nassau Suite, 2nd Floor
SVG Audio Production and Distribution Workshop
1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Rendezvous, 3rd FL
Digital Engagement Workshop
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Nassau Suite, 2nd Floor
Sports Content Management Workshop
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Murray Hill Suite, 2nd Floor
TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITS & OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION (Dec. 11-12)
Day 1 Exhibit Hours: 12:00 – 6:30 p.m. ET
Day 2 Exhibit Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: All Technology Showcases will be in the Rhinelander Gallery (2nd Floor)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL EXHIBITOR LIST
Opening Night Networking Reception in Technology Showcase Area
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Rhinelander Gallery (2nd Floor)
DAY 2 GENERAL SESSIONS (Dec. 12)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
The second day of the SVG Summit will be highlighted by the biggest names in the sports TV industry. We’ll have overviews of the top production accomplishments in 2023, look ahead to some of the big events in 2024, and also debate some of the more complex and vexing issues facing the industry.9:00 – 9:05 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks by Title Sponsor, AWS
Presented by: Jason Dvorkin, AWS, Media & Entertainment Industry Specialist, BD Leader9:05 – 9:45 a.m.: State of the Remote Production Business
Change is constant in the world of remote production and never more so than in 2024. There are more ways than ever to produce an event thanks to cloud services, fiber connectivity, and IP but there is still plenty of demand for trucks to be on site. Top executives from the remote production community discuss the challenges and opportunities of trying to meet the increasingly diverse needs of clients.
Panel Introduction: Ulrik Rohn, Net Insight, CTO
Moderator: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial
Panelists:
Mary Ellen Carlyle, Dome Productions, SVP and GM
Robert Carzoli, Program Productions, Chairman
Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO
Pat Sullivan, Game Creek Video, President
Mike Werteen, NEP Broadcast Services, Global President
9:45 – 10:00 a.m.: Sony Case Study: Revolutionizing Broadcast and Sports Production with Cloud-Based Live Production and HEVC
Cloud-based live production solutions utilizing advanced HEVC codec technology will revolutionize broadcast and sports production by delivering higher quality video with reduced bandwidth requirements. This will enable more immersive and crisp broadcasts, providing viewers with an enhanced experience. Additionally, the scalability and flexibility of cloud-based solutions will empower organizations to efficiently handle complex productions, lower their implementation costs, and ultimately transform the industry’s broadcasting capabilities.
Presenter: Hugo Gaggioni, Sony Electronics, Chief Technology Officer, Sony Imaging Products and Professional Solutions – Americas
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.: The Ins and Outs of Alternate Broadcast Productions
When it comes to hot trends in sports production, the rise of alternate broadcasts as a way to engage viewers continues to become a bigger part of not only national broadcasts but also regional shows. Join us to learn how to cost effectively create the technical backbone for an alternate broadcast as well as how to find the winning combination of talent and programming ideas.
Panel Introduction: Michael Vernick, JW Player, Senior Solutions Architect
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Panelists:
Danielle Cranin, NBC Sports, Senior Director, Content Integration & Partnerships
Drew Gallagher, ESPN, Coordinating Producer
Jon Klein, HANG Media, Co-Founder and CEO
Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN Creative Studio, Edit + Animation + Graphics Innovation + Production & Playout
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Networking Break in Exhibit Area
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Innovation at the Regional Sports Networks
No one understands the challenges of creating tons of content both cost effectively and with an eye on innovation to keep viewers tuned in better than the regional sports networks. Leaders from RSNs discuss some of their innovations in 2023 and what they are looking forward to in 2024.
Moderator: Mike Connelly, Bally Sports, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer
Panelists:
Friday Abernethy, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, GM, Network
John J. Filippelli, YES Network, President, Production & Programming; Executive Producer
Jon Slobotkin, NBC Sports Regional Networks, SVP, Content and Live Programming
Howard Zalkowitz, NESN, Executive Producer
12:00 – 12:15 p.m.: Diversified Case Study: Monumental Sports and Entertainment Network: A Glimpse into Investment in Washington DC Regional Sports
As 2024 approaches, Monumental Sports and Entertainment prepares to unveil its innovative RSN production facility, supporting their DC area NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams. Amidst a backdrop of global RSN challenges nationally, this facility, developed with Diversified, represents a major strategic investment for in-house content production. Discover the cutting-edge technologies and strategic planning underpinning this initiative, offering a peek into the future dynamics for Monumental Sports and Entertainment’s monetization strategy and business growth in sports entertainment.
Speakers:
Jason Kornweiss, Diversified, VP, Strategic Solutions
Charlie Myers, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, CTO
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Networking Lunch
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: Devoncroft Presentation
The rise in interest rates has meant that all industry participants, from leagues, to owners, to manufacturers, to networks, are now confronting business model challenges head on. Market expectations have been reset and there is uncertainty around key revenue streams. Can technology help sports content creators and distributors get ready for the next decade? What tech trends hold the most promise to bring stability to a media landscape that is undergoing serious upheaval?
Presenter: Josh Stinehour, Devoncroft Partners, Principal Analyst
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.: Imagine Communications Case Study: The Fast Track to ST 2110 with Pac-12 Networks
Being at the forefront of live sports production provides a full viewer experience, and Pac-12 scores the winning play. Join Hieu Ho of Pac-12 Networks, Nik Kumar of ASG, and John Mailhot of Imagine Communications as they discuss the best practices and lessons learned when migrating to IP connectivity. They will explore how Pac-12 did their due diligence in determining the right path for their needs.
Moderator: Brian Beckwith, Imagine Communications, Senior Solutions Architect
Speakers:
Hieu Ho, Pac-12 Networks, Lead Broadcast Technology Engineer
Nik Kumar, Advanced Systems Group (ASG), Technology Specialist, Systems Integration
John Mailhot, Imagine Communications, CTO, Networking and Infrastructure
2:00 – 2:40 p.m.: The Rise of Women’s Sports Production
The ratings for women’s sports continue to climb to record levels and that, in turn, drives the need for better and deeper productions. Leaders in women’s sports production discuss how their productions are evolving, why their programming is connecting with viewers, and why everyone should be paying more attention to the world of women’s sports.
Moderator: Melissa Forman, Impakt Partners, Co-Founder
Panelists:
Patricia Lowry, GameTime Productions, President
Sara Gaiero, ESPN, VP, Production
Emily Sisson, Octagon, SVP, Business Development
Curtis Symonds, HBCU GO, President and Co-Founder
2:40 – 3:00 p.m.: Networking Break
3:00 – 3:45 p.m.: Sports Production Roundtable
The SVG Summit concludes with a roundtable discussion featuring top leaders in sports production. We’ll discuss the latest trends that are driving their productions, the challenges in continuing to do more as shows get larger and goes deeper, and what new technologies are making a difference.
Panel Introduction: Brandon Wood, OpenDrives, Director, Global Accounts
Moderator: Mike Davies, Fox Sports, EVP, Technical and Field Operations; SVG Chairman
Panelists:
Chris Brown, WBD Sports, VP, Tech Operations
Jason Cohen, CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, VP, Remote Technical Operations
Susan Stone, MLB Network, SVP, Operations and Engineering
Tina Thornton, ESPN, EVP, Creative Studio and Marketing
3:45 – 4:15 p.m.: Closing Keynote
During his 20 year career at Telemundo, Eli Velazquez has played a key part in production decisions concerning some of the world’s biggest sporting events like the World Cup, Olympics, Super Bowls, and more. Earlier this year, he was promoted to EVP of Sports for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and he will join us to discuss his production philosophy, production plans for 2024, reflections on the World Cup, and much more.
Interviewer: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial
Keynote Speaker: Eli Velazquez, Telemundo, Executive Vice President of Sports
