2022 SVG RSN Summit

Full Program

Day 1: June 29 Program

(All times are in Central Time Zone)

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Opening-Night Reception in Exhibits Area

7:00 p.m.: SVG RSN Summit Dinner Presented by ProCrewz and Program Productions – RSVP Required


Day 2: June 30 Program

(All times are in Central Time Zone)

8:00 – 8:50 a.m.: Breakfast in Exhibits Area

8:50 – 9:00 a.m.: Day 2 Welcoming Remarks presented by ProCrewz
Presented by: Scott West
, Program Productions, CEO

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.: New Production Models for a New Normal: Cloud Control, GCV Anywhere, RAPs, and the Future of Remote Production
The pandemic dramatically transformed regional sports networks’ live-production operations over the past two-plus years. To limit crew travel for safety and cost-saving reasons, RSNs have increasingly relied on enhanced world feeds and new REMI production workflows that leverage their broadcast facilities at home. As the RSN world returns to something resembling normalcy, how are the established pre-pandemic production models mixing with the new at-home workflows like Cloud Control, GCV Anywhere, and Remote Access Productions (RAPs)? And what does that mean for the future?
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor; 2022 RSN Summit Program Director
Confirmed Panelists:
Kendall Burgess
, Bally Sports, VP of Technical Operations
Kenny Elcock, NESN, VP of Engineering
Jeff Filippi
, MSG Networks, SVP of Programming & Production, Executive Producer
Devon Fox
, NBC Sports Bay Area & California, Senior Director of Live Events & Special Projects
Doug Johnson, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, VP and Executive Producer

9:45 – 10:15 a.m.: The State of Labor: How RSNs Are Managing a Shrinking Workforce and What’s Ahead for the Freelance Market
During the pandemic, the industry — on both the national and the regional level — saw an exodus of sports-production professionals when many industry veterans opted to retire or find new career paths. As a result, RSNs find themselves searching desperately for talented engineers and production crew to work the thousands of regional broadcasts they deliver each year. Broadcast-production-labor–services provider Program Productions presents an overview of the state of the current market, how it has evolved, and what to expect in the future.
Moderator: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial
Speaker: Bob Carzoli, ProCrewz, Chairman of the Board and CEO

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: Imagine Communications Case Study: A Perfect Game – NESN Leads the Way for RSN Broadcasts in 4K/HDR
Join Bob Bolson, Director Solutions Architecture at Imagine Communications, as he talks with Kenny Elcock, VP Engineering at NESN, on planning and implementing the innovative technology behind the RSN’s successful broadcasts in native 4K/HDR.
Presenters:
Bob Bolson
, Imagine Communications, Director of Solutions Architecture for Playout & Networking
Kenny Elcock
, NESN, VP Engineering

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.: Networking Break in Exhibits Area

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: The ‘BetCast’ and Beyond: Inside RSNs’ Plans for Betting and Gamification
As RSNs look to capitalize on the expected revenue boost offered by legalized sports betting in their respective states, several have launched “BetCast” alternative presentations of games, wagering-focused studio shows and original programming, predictive-gaming contests for fans, and more. RSN leaders discuss how they incorporate wagering content into their broadcasts, how they’re using gamification to engage viewers, and what the future holds for sports betting at the RSN level.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor; 2022 RSN Summit Program Director
Confirmed Panelists:
Danielle Cranin, NBC Sports, Director of Content Integration & Partnerships, Betting & Gaming
Talaya Gaines, MSG Networks, VP, Content Strategy and Original Programming
Mike McCarthy, Marquee Sports Network, General Manager
Howard Zalkowitz, NESN, Executive Producer

12:00– 12:15 p.m.: Sportradar Case Study: Enhanced Storytelling Through Automated Statistics
Presenters:
Nick Helling
, Graphics and EVS Operator
Patrick Murphy
, Sportradar, Director of Broadcast Sales

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Networking Lunch in Exhibits Area

1:15 – 2:00 p.m.: DTC and Authenticated Streaming: Delivering Live Games to Local Fans on Every Screen
As consumer viewing habits evolve and carriage disputes become more frequent, RSNs are looking for new ways to deliver live games and original content directly to consumers. Some have launched their own DTC streaming platforms — or have announced plans to do so — in order to reach fans directly while others launched dedicated apps and streaming experiences for authenticated cable subscribers. RSN leaders discuss best practices in designing a live-streaming app, avoiding potential pitfalls, enhancing fan interactivity, differentiating the digital experience, and leveraging non-game content for streaming/OTT outlets.
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Confirmed Panelists:
Ahmed Darwish
, NESN, Chief Marketing Officer
Amy DesLauriers
, Midco Sports, Senior Associate Product Manager – Sports/Advertising
Michael Schneider, Bally Sports, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager
Scott Young, Transmit, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer

2:00 –  2:30 p.m.: Networking Break in Exhibits Area

2:30 – 3:15 p.m.: At-Home and in the Studio: From Announcers to Editors, How RSNs Are Embracing Remote Workflows
In the midst of the pandemic, RSNs were forced to shift production almost entirely to remote operation — from announcers calling games off monitors to editors creating content from their homes. Although staffers have gradually returned to onsite broadcast, many RSNs have opted to keep some crew and on-air talent at home. What will stay remote, and what will return to the facility as we move forward? And, most important, what new technologies/workflows will be required to maintain high-quality programming and network operations?
Moderator: Larry Meyers, Pac-12 Networks, EVP, Content
Confirmed Panelists:
Jared Boshnack
, YES Network, VP, Production
Brett Opdyke, Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun, Executive Producer
AJ Ponsiglione, Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, Senior Coordinating Producer, Studio and Live Events
Mike Santini, Marquee Sports Network, SVP, Programming and Production

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.: RSN Production Tech Roundup: Facilities Providers and Tech Vendors Sound Off
Although the pandemic has forced RSNs to focus on efficiency and flexibility, they are still on the look-out for production tools that can offer that “wow” factor within a broadcast. From high-speed and shallow–depth-of-field cameras to augmented reality and virtual graphics to next-gen viewer-engagement tools, get a look at the most exciting tech toys being deployed by RSNs to enhance fans’ viewing experience.
Moderator: Kristian Hernández, SVG, Associate Editor and Social Media Manager
Confirmed Panelists:
Mike Burk
, LTN Global, General Manager, Event Production and Transmission Unit
Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO
James Piccirillo, Game Creek Video, Broadcast Network Systems Manager
Josh Stoner, Canon, Senior Specialist, Product Management Team, Broadcast and Cinema Lenses

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