Remote-Production Advances To Be Discussed at SVG Summit

Opening day of the 2014 SVG Summit (Dec. 15-16) at the New York Hilton will once again take an in-depth look at the latest developments in remote production from owner/operator, broadcaster, and technology perspectives.

“Sports is the driving force behind today’s remote-production industry, which is undergoing transformative business and technology changes,” explains SVG Co-Executive Director and SVG Summit Conference Chair Ken Kerschbaumer. “The 2014 Summit’s opening day is focusing on these issues, as presented by key decision-makers on both the vendor and client sides of this industry partnership. We hope to answer where the remote-production industry is going and what type of development is most aligned with current market dynamics.”

The SVG Summit is the largest meeting of the entire sports-production ecosystem: leagues and teams, broadcasters, remote-production companies, venues, and their technology providers. Last year, more than 1,000 executives attended the meeting, including 132 executives of 30 remote-production companies and representing a collective industry fleet of more than 200 mobile units.

The two-day event focuses on the practical and operational challenges of producing today’s major sports events and is complemented by panel sessions by the sports organizations and an adjacent technology showcase of 70+ exhibitors. This year’s event features keynote conversations with David Hill (Fox) and Steve Bornstein (NFL), David Stern (former NBA commissioner), and other Hall of Fame inductees Ken Aagaard (CBS), Bob Dixon (NBC) and George Orgera (F&F).

The challenges of today’s IP-based remote-production compound will be the focus of a dedicated workshop on the morning of Monday Dec. 15. Increasingly, industry manufacturers are transitioning to IP-based products and IP-based workflows. But what exactly are the benefits? And where are the risks? Experts will discuss the current product landscape and real-world examples of IP-based workflows in action.

That afternoon, the conversation moves to the main Trianon Ballroom, where panels of broadcasters and truck operators will discuss the business and technology of today’s live sports operations. Speakers from Fox, Mobile TV Group, Game Creek, and NEP will debate the current state of the marketplace. Other topics will include 4K sports production and how camera and lens manufacturers are addressing today’s 4K needs along with next-generation developments.

Meanwhile, the national-network perspective on remote production also takes the stage that afternoon. Top executives from ESPN, Fox, CBS, and MLB Network will address top-of-mind production trends and how they’re “doing more with less.” And, for an independent research perspective of the state of remote production, Josh Stinehour, principal analyst, Devoncroft Partners, will share data findings from the IABM Global Market Valuation Report, the definitive report on market size and trends in the sports-production sector.

For more information and the full two-day schedule at the SVG Summit, visit www.sportsvideo.org/summit.