NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: ESPN Ops Team Navigates Both Sides of the Border With Canadian Teams’ Strong Showing

Mix of Enhanced World Feed, truck-based, REMI is coordinated with TNT Sports, RSNs, Sportsnet

With the most Canadian teams in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017, ESPN’s operations team faces a challenge nearly unprecedented in professional or collegiate sports: launching three playoff series in Canada — spanning venues across the entire country — while also covering action in the U.S.

“Similar to NHL players and teams,” says Erin Orr, senior manager, remote operations, ESPN, “our technical teams comprehend that playoff triumph hinges not solely on individual brilliance but on cohesive teamwork. It’s the right mindset, coupled with everyone’s unwavering commitment to the team’s success, that ultimately dictates victory.”

Coordinating the movement of mobile units, personnel, and equipment within a condensed timeframe demanded a concerted effort across multiple departments. Additionally, the necessity to collaborate with another sports network in each city added further layers of complexity to the planning process.

“The nature of operations mandates thorough preparation for every conceivable scenario, empowering our team to adeptly manage such demanding circumstances at short notice,” says Orr. “Transporting equipment, mobile units, and crew to eight different cities within the given timeframe posed a considerable challenge, yet the shared commitment and collective effort of all involved infused the challenge with an element of excitement.”

Opening Power Play: 14 Games in Four Days Across Two Countries

At the outset of the playoffs, ESPN’s ops team was tasked with producing 14 broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN2 over four days, with three distinct production levels and across two countries. The undertaking was particularly daunting because the official schedule was released just 48 hours before crew departure.

“Throughout the regular season,” says Orr, “we uphold a standard of excellence in our product delivery. As the playoffs approached, we acknowledged the need to elevate our efforts even further. Every department involved in playoff operations — from crewing and remote traffic to the mobile-unit team, production, and programming  — prioritized meticulous attention to detail and fostered collaboration to ensure cohesive and successful outcomes.”

With eight operations teams deployed across 12 sites for the first round, ESPN is balancing Enhanced World Feed (EWF) productions in Canada with full onsite productions and multiple REMI setups in the States.

Specifically, games in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Edmonton are EWF productions, coordinated closely with local RSNs and Canadian rightsholder Sportsnet. For U.S. games, ESPN is deploying a mix of onsite truck-based and REMI Pro productions; in the latter, announcers are onsite, the bulk of the production crew is in Bristol, and isolated paths go to the control room for the game production.

In a concerted effort, the ESPN team collaborates closely with TNT Sports, RSNs, and Sportsnet to ensure optimal broadcast quality for all stakeholders. Daily communication with the league streamlines coordination of show specs, resource allocation, and onsite logistics.

Throughout the playoffs, NEP Group and Game Creek Video provide all mobile units, jointly supporting ESPN and TNT Sports and deploying approximately 12 mobile units to cover potentially 56 first-round games.

“ESPN continues its collaboration with Game Creek and NEP for NHL Playoff coverage,” says Orr. “It’s a partnership marked by seamless adaptability to last-minute scheduling changes, diverse venue requirements, and varied production levels across four Canadian cities.”

Riding the Ratings Wave: ESPN Looks To Maintain Momentum

Following double-digit viewership increases in the regular season, ESPN’s NHL coverage is up 15% through 14 playoff games. With more eyeballs on the broadcasts, the ops team knows the pressure is on to deliver at the highest level.

“The playoffs epitomize the pinnacle of excitement within the hockey season, characterized by extensive televised coverage,” says Orr. “Every facet of the hockey ecosystem contributes significantly to reaching this grand stage, with our operations team at the forefront, instilling a strong sense of unity, leadership, and organization.

“In contrast to the regular season’s predictability,” she continues, “the playoffs amplify the pressure, imbuing each game with immense significance. Much like NHL players, our technical teams and crews bear the weight of every moment, understanding the imperative of precision and flawless execution. Consequently, our focus remains steadfast on nurturing and safeguarding the collective well-being of the team.”