Cloud-based production: The next step in the evolution of sports broadcasting
Media production for live sporting events is undeniably costly and complex. It demands extensive resources and a large onsite crew, along with all their equipment, to bring the action from the stadium to audiences worldwide.
With fierce competition for viewers, sports broadcasters must operate as efficiently as possible.
However, cutting back on anything that could compromise the quality of coverage isn’t an option. Audiences expect not just live competition, but the emotion, history, and context that make sports captivating.
A cloud-based production model offers the promise of reducing costs and manpower, but is it scalable and reliable enough for major sports leagues and events?
The move to mobile production
For local events, a reporter and a camera operator using a backpack transmitter can stream high-quality live video over a 5G network. While this setup offers speed and flexibility, it lacks the stability and scalability needed for major sports events.
In 2020, Formula 1 transitioned from a fully onsite production model to a hybrid, semi-remote approach due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of transporting the entire production team to each race location, a smaller onsite crew was deployed to transmit video and data feeds to the Formula 1 Media & Technology Centre in the UK.
This shift reduced onsite personnel, along with the associated travel, lodging expenses, and equipment requirements, significantly decreasing the physical footprint at each race.
Scaling for success
While this model works well for F1, with fewer than 25 races per season, how does it fare for leagues broadcasting dozens of games weekly across a continent? Can a cloud-based production model handle that scale?
The answer, fortunately, is: “It depends.”
A remote production model may not be ideal for large, established venues in major markets, many of which already have built-in broadcast infrastructure. However, the cloud-based approach is ideal for covering lower-division games or matches at smaller venues that typically wouldn’t be televised. This democratization of sports broadcasting can expand the fan base by attracting casual viewers and strengthening the connection with dedicated fans.