SportTech 2019: First interview with new SVG Europe chair Alessandro Reitano [video]

Fresh from being appointed as the new chair of SVG Europe, Sky Germany vice president of sports production Alessandro Reitano chats with SVG Europe editor Heather McLean, explaining why he took the role, detailing what he believes are the sports television industry’s biggest challenges and outlining his SVG priorities for the future.

The interview took place prior to SVG Europe’s SportTech 2019 event at Lord’s cricket ground in London on 22 May.

Reitano joined Sky Deutschland in 2008. He has been responsible for live OB sports production and has always been involved in the development of new technologies and innovations in the field of sports production.

In 2010, the first Sky 3D sports production started, followed in 2012 by the first UHD test recording. In 2015 Reitano assumed overall responsibility for the sports production division at Sky as vice president.

“The industry is undergoing a fundamental change. It is tough out there at the moment with new players and new business models. All market participants will have to deal with those challenges and either change, transform or adjust their businesses.”

In 2015, he brought the innovative Free-D technology to Germany, which was used in the DFB Cup Final and UEFA Champions League Final 2015. Reitano was also responsible for the first VR live test, which was successfully implemented at the 2016 DFB Cup Final, and played a key role in the development and implementation of the Sky Sport HQ broadcast centre.

From idea to completion in July 2017, he played a decisive role in the development and implementation of the new Sky Sport HQ broadcast centre at Unterföhring in Munich, which has set new standards in studio technology and efficient and effective production workflows.