SVG’s Regional Sports Production Summit heads to Denver on June 26-27, bringing RSN and local-sports-media leaders together to share ideas, learn from one another, and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for this rapidly changing sector of the industry. This annual event, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt in the heart of Downtown Denver, will provide a gathering place for regional-sports leaders and content creators to address the pertinent issues facing their sector as the business undergoes seismic change on multiple fronts. Join key production, technology, and business leaders for this must-attend event covering the latest developments in live-production workflows, DTC and authenticated streaming, sports betting and alternate telecasts, 4K HDR and other next-gen technologies, labor and crewing, league and team relationships, and what the future holds for the regional sports media rights.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
(All times are in Mountain Time Zone)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Opening Night Reception in Exhibits Area
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
8:00 – 8:50 a.m.: Registration Opens
8:50 – 9:00 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks by Title Sponsor, Mobile TV Group
9:00 – 9:40 a.m.: Production Roundtable: Serving the Local Fan in a Changing Marketplace
9:40 – 10:00 a.m.: Regional Sports Production Spotlight: MLB Local Media’s Umpire Cam
10:00 – 10:20 a.m.: Fireside Chat: Inside the Launch of SEG Media and What’s Next for Utah Sports Fans
10:20 – 11:05 a.m.: Networking Break in Exhibits Area
11:05 – 11:45 a.m.: At Home and on the Road: The Changing Face of Live Game Production
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: ‘Technology in Action’ Case Study
12:00 – 12:55 p.m.: Lunch
12:55 – 1:15 p.m.: Regional Sports Production Spotlight: NBC Sports Chicago’s Animated, Real-Time Blackhawks Telecast
1:15 – 1:55 p.m.: The State of Streaming: DTC, FAST, and the Next Era of Regional Sports
1:55 – 2:10 p.m.: ‘Technology in Action’ Case Study
2:10 – 2:40 p.m.: Networking Break in Exhibits Area
2:40 – 3:00 p.m.: Fireside Chat: Inside Scripps Sports’ Regional Sports Roadmap
3:00 – 3:40 p.m.: Tech in Action: The Latest Innovations Impacting Regional Sports Production
3:40 – 4:00 p.m.: Regional Sports Production Spotlight #4
Featured Speakers
Kendall BurgessMLB, VP of Operations, Local Media
Jason DachmanSVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program Director
Nick GarvinMobile TV Group, COO
Doug JohnsonMLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local Media
Jess KowatchProgram Productions, EVP, Operations and COO
Larry MeyersPac-12 Networks, EVP, Content
Brian MitchellFormer Executive Producer of ATTSN Rocky Mountain
A.J. PonsiglioneSpectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, Senior Coordinating Producer, Live Events and Special ProjectsEvent Location / Hotel
Grant Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80202
BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM NOW USING OUR DISCOUNTED RATE OF $249/NIGHT!
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Full Program
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
(All times are in Mountain Time Zone)
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Opening Night Reception in Exhibits Area
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
(All times are in Mountain Time Zone)
8:00 – 8:50 a.m.: Registration Opens
8:50 – 9:00 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks by Title Sponsor, Mobile TV Group
Presented by: Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO
9:00 – 9:40 a.m.: Production Roundtable: Serving the Local Fan in a Changing Marketplace
Despite the challenges currently facing RSNs, one thing is clear: the local fan is more passionate than ever about the teams they love. With that in mind, production leaders from around the country discuss how they are looking to serve local fans with not only high-quality live game broadcasts but also innovative alternative telecasts, studio shows, original programming, and all-access content.
Moderator: Brian Mitchell, Former Executive Producer of ATTSN Rocky Mountain
Confirmed Panelists:
Matt Sandulli, SNY, VP, Live Game/Long-Form Production
9:40 – 10:00 a.m.: Regional Sports Production Spotlight: MLB Local Media’s Umpire Cam
The Umpire Cam has been one of the most groundbreaking in-game production technologies in recent memory for live baseball coverage. Now that MLB is opening up the use of Umpire Cam at the local game level, MLB Local Media will talk about how they utilized it last year during their Diamondbacks coverage and what they learned from replay usage to live shots.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program Director
Confirmed Speakers:
Kendall Burgess, MLB, VP of Operations, Local Media
Doug Johnson, MLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local Media
10:00 – 10:20 a.m.: Fireside Chat: Inside the Launch of SEG Media and What’s Next for Utah Sports Fans
More info coming soon!
10:20 – 11:05 a.m.: Networking Break in Exhibits Area
11:05 – 11:45 a.m.: At Home and on the Road: The Changing Face of Live Game Production
As RSNs navigate the headwinds currently facing the industry, innovation has become the name of the game. Hear from RSN operations leaders and production-facilities providers on the future of mobile units, the latest REMI workflows, the potential rise of 4K and HDR productions, ongoing crewing challenges, and where technology is headed in the coming years.
Moderator: Larry Meyers, Pac-12 Networks, EVP, Content
Confirmed Panelists:
Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO
Jess Kowatch, Program Productions, EVP, Operations and COO
Mike Webb, YES Network, VP, Broadcast Operations and Engineering
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: ‘Technology in Action’ Case Study
More info coming soon!
12:00 – 12:55 p.m.: Lunch
12:55 – 1:15 p.m.: Regional Sports Production Spotlight: NBC Sports Chicago’s Animated, Real-Time Blackhawks Telecast
The growing trend of real-time animated sports broadcasts hit the regional level in April, when the NBC Sports Chicago and the NHL brought presented an animated alternate broadcast of the Chicago Blackhawks’ face-off with the Dallas Stars in celebration of “Tommy Hawk’s Birthday Party”. Get an inside look at both the strategy and technology behind this groundbreaking production, as well how these animated ventures could attract a whole new generation of local fans.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program Director
Confirmed Speakers:
Matt Celli, NHL, VP and Coordinating Director
Jon Slobotkin, NBC Sports Regional Networks, SVP, Content and Live Programming
1:15 – 1:55 p.m.: The State of Streaming: DTC, FAST, and the Next Era of Regional Sports
As consumer viewing habits and industry economics evolve, RSNs, leagues, and teams are increasingly launching their own DTC streaming platforms to reach fans directly. Meanwhile, more and more content is making its way onto FAST channels and other digital platforms. This session addresses the strategies driving successful RSN streaming services, new digital monetization opportunities, and the technological advances shaping the next generation of regional-sports-content delivery.
Confirmed Panelists:
A.J. Ponsiglione, Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, Senior Coordinating Producer, Live Events and Special Projects
1:55 – 2:10 p.m.: ‘Technology in Action’ Case Study
More info coming soon!
2:10 – 2:40 p.m.: Networking Break in Exhibits Area
2:40 – 3:00 p.m.: Fireside Chat: Inside Scripps Sports’ Regional Sports Roadmap
Since its launch at the end of 2022, Scripps Sports has focused on its ability to provide professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with the ability to reach up to 100% of their fan bases via E. W. Scripps Company’s 60+ local TV stations and Ion Network. After inking local broadcast deals with the Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes for the 2023-24 NHL season, Scripps is on the lookout for more opportunities in the regional sports market. Quinn Pacini, VP, Scripps Sports Broadcast Operations, sits down to discuss how these local deals worked out, what’s on their future roadmap, and how broadcast provides a platform to reach more eyeballs.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program Director
Confirmed Speaker: Quinn Pacini, VP, Scripps Sports Broadcast Operations
3:00 – 3:40 p.m.: Tech in Action: The Latest Innovations Impacting Regional Sports Production
This panel will delve into technological advances shaping regional sports production: innovations in camera technology, AR graphics, cloud-based production workflows, and more. Industry leaders will address the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting these cutting-edge technologies, the impact on production costs and efficiencies, and future trends that will continue to shape the regional-sports-production landscape.
3:40 – 4:00 p.m.: Regional Sports Production Spotlight #4
Get an inside look at a recent groundbreaking regional sports production or project. More info coming soon!
Featured Speakers
Kendall BurgessMLB, VP of Operations, Local MediaJason DachmanSVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program DirectorNick GarvinMobile TV Group, COODoug JohnsonMLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local MediaJess KowatchProgram Productions, EVP, Operations and COOLarry MeyersPac-12 Networks, EVP, ContentBrian MitchellFormer Executive Producer of ATTSN Rocky MountainA.J. PonsiglioneSpectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, Senior Coordinating Producer, Live Events and Special ProjectsFeatured Speakers
Kendall Burgess, MLB, VP of Operations, Local Media
Kendall Burgess joined Major League Baseball as vice president of operations, local media in March of 2023. In this role she is responsible for the technical and operational details of all live MLB regional broadcasts. Prior to joining MLB, Burgess was the vice president of technical operations for Bally Sports where she worked closely with production and engineering management to provide direction for 19 regional networks across the country. With over 25 years of experience working in sports television across all professional leagues and multiple college conferences, Burgess started her career as an intern for FOX Sports while she was a journalism student at The University of Georgia.
Jason Dachman, SVG, Editorial Director, U.S.; SVG Regional Sports Production Summit Program Director
Jason Dachman oversees all aspects of SVG’s North American editorial operations – including all news on sportsvideo.org, the daily SVG Insider newsletter, and SVG’s annual print publications – and is one of the primary contributors to SVG’s coverage of the sports-video-production industry. A member of the SVG team since 2009, Dachman also serves as program director for SVG’s Esports Production Forum, RSN Summit, Sports Content Management Forum, Sports Graphics Forum, and TranSPORT conference.
Prior to joining SVG, Dachman covered local sports for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA, and served on the production staff of SiriusXM’s The Ron & Fez Show. He began his career in the Sports Information department at Northeastern University in Boston, where he earned a B.A. in media communications and cinema studies. A native of Denver, CO, Dachman currently resides in Queens, NY, with his wife Alyson and daughter June.
Nick Garvin, Mobile TV Group, COO
Nick Garvin is the chief operating officer for Mobile TV Group (MTVG). This includes all strategic partnerships, management of all day-to-day operations for its mobile unit fleet covering over 4,000 live events annually, and its audio/video manufacturing facility called Colorado Studios. MTVG has led live 4K HDR productions in the U.S. covering the PGA Tour, NBA, NHL, UFC, college football, entertainment, and corporate events for many of the top Fortune 500 companies.
Garvin is also the founder of Stackup, an education technology company that uses artificial intelligence to deliver metrics on students reading and learning on the web to K-12 school districts around the United States. Stackup is among few certified Google partners, and his work on this technology put him into the Forbes 30 under 30 class of 2018.
Garvin holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the Eller College of Management, along with an executive education from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Doug Johnson, MLB, SVP and Executive Producer, Local Media
Doug Johnson joined MLB as senior vice president and executive producer, local media in March of 2023 and is responsible for overseeing all games produced locally by MLB. A 27-time Emmy Award winner, Johnson has produced or directed over 2000+ events. He previously was at AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh where he was responsible for the day-to-day management and long-term planning for more than 250 live events each year. Johnson started his professional career in production at ABC Sports in New York where he worked events such as Monday Night Football including Super Bowl XXV; the PGA Tour including the U.S Open, British Open, and PGA Championship; and college football and basketball games.
Jess Kowatch, Program Productions, EVP, Operations and COO
With over 15 years of experience managing projects, Jessica Kowatch has served with Program Productions since 2015. As a hard-working, multi-task titan who treats crews like family, some of her senior-level direction duties relate to client resource allocation and communication directives, new business development, national training initiatives, and assisting with labor union negotiations.
Kowatch also serves on the Technology Advisory Committee created to develop and implement technology advancements to the ProCrewz enterprise resource management system and mobile application.
Hailing from a proud Pittsburgh family, Kowatch cherishes traveling while working as a production manager and visiting events over the years, from the views at Kapalua on the Island of Maui in Hawaii to Sea Island, GA. The relationships and contacts made over the years proved invaluable as she continues to strengthen the company with her detail-oriented expertise.
Larry Meyers, Pac-12 Networks, EVP, Content
Larry Meyers joined Pac-12 Networks in San Francisco as EVP, content in 2018 after serving as VP, content and executive producer for Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) Regional Networks in Southern California serving that market with Lakers and Dodgers programming. At Pac-12, Meyers is responsible for the 850 live events plus extensive studio and shoulder content delivered via MVPD and authenticated TV Everywhere platforms, plus hundreds more of university-created streamed events available on the Pac-12 app and the Pac-12 Insider FAST channel. At Pac-12, Meyers integrated previously separate content creation areas, unifying event, studio, and feature/post-production, in addition to working very closely with the social and communication teams. While at Spectrum SportsNet, the networks garnered 26 team and individual LA area Emmy awards in their first four years from launch. Pac-12 Networks has received a numerous regional Emmys and SVG College awards during his tenure. Meyers also received Emmys for his work at the RSN in San Francisco and a national Emmy for his work covering the 1988 Seoul Olympics for NBC.
Previously, Meyers spent nine years starting at launch at Tennis Channel as the SVP of production and executive producer. In that role, he was responsible for the channel’s original programming, as well as national and international live events. Prior to that, Meyers spent seven years at Fox, working in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. He began his career in sports television in the 1980s working in TV trucks producing and directing regional and national live sports event programming. Over the years, Meyers transitioned to a production executive.
Brian Mitchell, Former Executive Producer of ATTSN Rocky Mountain
An executive producer at multiple RSNs, Brian Mitchell most recently was the EP at AT&T SportNet Rocky Mountain where he was in charge of all live event production including for the Colorado Rockies, Las Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Jazz, and Mountain West Conference college football and basketball. He oversaw all aspects of production for over 300 live events annually (MLB, NBA, NHL CFB, CBK) and managed a 20-person production and engineering staff.
Prior to his current role, Mitchell served as coordinating producer at Root Sports Southwest, executive producer at the Mtn. Sports Network, and director of broadcasting for the Denver Broncos & Empower Field at Mile High. He also served roles at Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain and Fox Sports Net West.
A.J. Ponsiglione, Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, Senior Coordinating Producer, Live Events and Special Projects
As senior coordinating producer, A.J. Ponsiglione oversees live events and special projects for Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum SportsNet LA. SportsNet LA serves as the television home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, while SportsNet is the broadcast partner of the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Sparks, and serves as the official TV home of the CIF High School State Championships. Prior to his current role, Ponsiglione served as coordinating producer for studio programming, helping launch SportsNet in 2012, and later overseeing the launch of SportsNet LA in 2014. His sports production experience also includes nearly four years as coordinating producer at ESPN where he helped launch and oversee the Los Angeles based edition of SportsCenter. Ponsiglione started his career as a sports producer in 1997 at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles, CA.