SVG Europe reveals four pioneering Sports Broadcasting Achievements projects for 2023
SVG Europe is delighted to announce the four ground-breaking projects that have been selected for recognition at the inaugural Sports Broadcasting Achievements (SBAs), sponsored by Canon.
The SBAs are part of SVG Europe’s ongoing commitment to exploring and honouring the exceptional endeavours of individuals, teams, and organisations that are advancing sports broadcasting and production in Europe.
The SBAs will be presented as a dedicated showcase during the FutureSPORT event at The Oval on 23 November, 2023. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear in-depth case studies, shedding light on some of the European sports broadcasting industry’s most inventive and ambitious initiatives.
Registration for FutureSPORT closes at 11am on Thursday 16 November: Register here
The four projects were selected by the SVG Europe editorial team and current and former chairs of the SVG Europe Advisory Board. Together, they considered projects and productions of all sizes from across Europe that embraced new technologies, took risks, and introduced innovative solutions that demonstrably advanced the way sports content is captured, managed, manipulated, and delivered.
Sports Broadcasting Achievements 2023:
2023 BMW PGA Championship
The 2023 BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour with IMG as production partner made history as the first sporting event to have its television production powered entirely by green hydrogen, thereby producing zero carbon emissions. This remarkable feat, which took place at Wentworth Club, Surrey in September, saw the use of hydrogen-powered generators save a total of 16.4 tonnes of CO2 compared to the 2022 tournament. The DP World Tour’s Green Drive initiative has led the way in sustainability efforts, committing to being fully net zero carbon by 2040.
Tour de France – Team Radio
ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) introduced Team Radio to the international broadcast of the Tour de France, giving a public dimension to communications between sports directors and their riders. It was described by ASO as “the innovation of the year” and was a collaborative effort with France Télévisions, the host broadcaster, and the EMG group. EMG teams under the Boost Graphics banner were responsible for the reception, transcription, and graphical presentation of Team Radio. During the three weeks of the Tour de France, 1,141 Team Radio pieces of content were produced and shared with broadcasters, social networks, and cycling teams.
TV2 Centralised Production Operation
In 2023, TV2, in collaboration with facilities firms NEP and DMC, initiated a remote production model for approximately 600 games per year in various sports. This approach, which includes football, ice hockey, handball, volleyball, floorball, and basketball, has plans to dramatically increase to over 1,000 games next year. Automation played a pivotal role in reducing the number of on-site staff, resulting in cost-efficient productions. Centralising production in Oslo not only saved costs but also contributed to sustainability gains.
European League of Football Cloud-Based Production
During 2023, ELF (European League of Football) and its production agency novel.media transitioned to remote production in the cloud. This decision aimed to increase value for sponsors with improved advertising options while reducing production costs and the carbon footprint. Collaborating with Vizrt and AWS, they implemented an end-to-end cloud setup which eliminated the need for directors, graphics designers, operators, sound engineers, and other technicians to travel to game venues, which also resulted in a reduction of over 300 tons of CO2 emissions for the season.
Canon expressed delight in supporting the SBAs. Jack Adair, Canon Sector Marketing for Broadcast & Cinema Production, said: “Canon is delighted to sponsor SVG Europe’s Sports Broadcasting Achievements 2023, an event that celebrates the remarkable strides made in the world of sports broadcasting and production. This initiative serves as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of sports media and the visionaries who drive innovation.
“The Sports Broadcasting Achievements will shine a spotlight on projects, teams, and individuals who have pushed the boundaries of sports broadcasting, exploring their contributions and dedication. We eagerly anticipate the insights and inspiration that will emerge from the case studies and presentations during the Future Sport event later this month.
“As a leader in imaging technology, Canon is proud to play a part in celebrating those who redefine sports broadcasting. This collaboration represents our dedication to supporting the future direction of sports production and distribution, making us excited for the outstanding achievements to come.”
Each SBA case study will be moderated by a member of the SVG Europe editorial team and will include presentations, interviews, and videos that offer a detailed account of how the project was conceived, managed, and delivered, along with the challenges encountered and the resulting impact on the industry and viewers.
For more information about FutureSPORT 2023 and to register to attend the event, please visit FutureSPORT 2023