Bleacher Report Details Hybrid Production for Its Player-Driven NFL Draft Show
Bleacher Report is producing its annual "B/R NFL Draft Live" show, streaming on the B/R App, YouTube, and HBO Max, building on a record-breaking broadcast from the previous year. The production is a hybrid model, centralized in a New York City control room with a remote presence in Pittsburgh. The article details the technical workflow, which includes a Ross Carbonite switcher, DreamCatcher replay systems, and Haivision contribution encoders, emphasizing player-driven commentary and interactive fan engagement.
Key Takeaways
- The broadcast's main differentiator is its focus on being a "player reaction show," led by current NFL players Micah Parsons and Malik Nabers.
- The production uses a hybrid workflow, with a central control room in New York and live contribution from Pittsburgh via a Haivision Pro 460 encoder.
- The NYC control room's tech stack is built on a Ross Carbonite switcher, seven DreamCatcher replay systems, and Ross XPression graphics engines.
- A new "Magic Wall" touchscreen, developed with CNN's New Media team, has been added for hosts to break down player data and draft boards.
- Fan engagement is integrated from the B/R App, surfacing viewer comments and questions directly into the broadcast using Tagboard.
Why It Matters
B/R's format provides a case study in alternative sports broadcasting, prioritizing player reaction and fan interaction over traditional analysis. Its hybrid production, using a central NYC control room with Haivision for remote contribution from Pittsburgh, outlines a replicable technical model. For parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, distributing across the B/R App, YouTube, and HBO Max aims to maximize reach for an experience designed to stand apart from more traditional linear coverage. The key metric to watch will be if viewership surpasses last year's record, which would validate further investment in this personality-driven format.
Read full article at sportsvideo.org
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