ROOSTER
- ROOSTER Studio
- Remote Production & Operations Solution
Challenge
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for the sports broadcast industry. With stringent health and safety protocols necessitating reduced on-site staffing and the absence of spectators, SMT faced the urgent need to develop new workflows that would minimize on-site personnel without compromising the quality of broadcast productions. This situation underscored the need for advanced remote graphics and EVS operations to ensure that sporting events could still be delivered with high production values despite limited on-site presence.
The primary challenge for SMT was to maintain operational efficiency and the high standards expected by its clients while drastically reducing the number of staff members physically present at event locations. This required innovative solutions to remotely manage various aspects of the broadcast production process, from graphics coordination to real-time data integration.
Solution
In response to these challenges, SMT swiftly initiated the development of advanced remote production technologies. By 2021, SMT had significantly accelerated its remote production capabilities through the establishment of ROOSTER studios in Durham, N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., and Fremont, Calif. The ROOSTER (Remote Optics Operator Staffing & Technology for Eliminating Risk) solution was designed to replicate the functionality of traditional production trucks but with the advantage of remote operation, thereby minimizing on-site personnel.
The ROOSTER studios equipped SMT technicians to remotely manage user interfaces, video monitoring, communications, graphics, and data integration with high efficiency and low latency. This setup allowed graphics coordinators and broadcast operators to interact in real-time with production teams worldwide, delivering seamless broadcast workflows. Key services provided included data integration, in-game statistics, virtual ad insertions, player and object tracking, and more.
Additionally, SMT introduced a fleet of mobile production vans, outfitted with remote tools, backend infrastructure, and workstations. These vans provided the flexibility of a control room on wheels, capable of being configured for any sporting event, thus further reducing the need for extensive on-site setups and equipment.
Results
The implementation of ROOSTER studios and mobile production vans transformed SMT’s operational capabilities. These innovations allowed SMT to offer a flexible, scalable solution that significantly reduced the on-site footprint while maintaining the high quality of the final on-air product. By enabling remote graphics coordinators and operators to communicate in real-time with global production teams, SMT ensured consistent and reliable service delivery, fostering stronger working relationships and cohesion within production teams.
ROOSTER studios proved to be pivotal in supporting major sporting events such as the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, NHL games, PFL fights and the Triple Crown horse racing events. These technologies also facilitated advanced data integration and graphics production for international events like the Olympic Games, Roland Garros and the Tour de France, among others. The ability to operate complex broadcast functions remotely not only safeguarded the health and safety of SMT’s staff but also reduced the environmental impact
associated with travel and on-site production.
SMT’s innovative remote production solutions exemplify a forward-thinking approach that benefits both clients and the environment. By reducing the need for extensive travel and on-site presence, SMT has established a sustainable workflow that aligns with modern broadcast demands and environmental considerations.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“SMT made it one-stop shopping — not just from the technology perspective but for the creative side as well. And I had so much confidence after seeing their work, I felt they could develop the necessary systems. It was a very different workflow for us this year, but, honestly, if you hadn’t told [us] that we were in a different state hundreds of miles away, I would have thought they were in the next truck over. You just press the button, and it’s amazing how it feels like they’re right there.”
George Greenberg
PFL EXECUTIVE PRODUCER