La Télé builds Blackmagic 12G-SDI backbone for National League hockey production

The implementation demonstrates how regional broadcasters can leverage high-capacity SDI routing to scale operations without the complexity of a full IP transition. By centralizing the backbone, La Télé avoids redundant hardware costs while meeting the high-bandwidth demands of live 4K/UHD sports. This reflects a broader trend of mid-market broadcasters adopting 12G-SDI as a cost-effective alternative to SMPTE 2110 for high-density signal distribution. The ability to pivot small teams between news and specialized sports production is critical for local outlets competing in high-stakes rights markets. Watch for whether secondary rights holders adopt similar unified backbones as Swiss hockey rights remain locked in with Sunrise through 2035.

The project follows a major long-term rights extension in the Swiss market. Per Broadband TV News (August 2025), Swiss telco Sunrise secured exclusive National League media rights through the 2034/35 season, cementing MySports as the primary home for domestic hockey. While MySports holds the flagship pay-TV rights, it utilizes regional partners like La Télé and Léman Bleu to fulfill free-to-air obligations and provide localized French-language production. This multi-year certainty allows regional partners the financial stability required to invest in infrastructure upgrades such as the Blackmagic deployment.

Technologically, the industry is increasingly focused on bridging traditional SDI avec IP. At NAB 2026, Blackmagic Design expanded its ecosystem with the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP, a native SMPTE 2110 switcher designed for 100G Ethernet workflows, per RedShark News (April 2026). This reflects a maturing market where manufacturers are providing clear migration paths between 12G-SDI, used by La Télé, and modern IP-based plants. The introduction of 100G SDI expanders suggests that while current regional deployments favor SDI for its lower cost and simplicity, the hardware is becoming hybrid by design to handle future IP transport demands.

Furthermore, the Swiss League's broader media strategy involves significant free-to-air visibility to drive engagement. According to Swiss Hockey News (June 2026), the partnership between Sunrise and regional stations is a 'success story' for maintaining hockey's high status in Switzerland. The use of compact, high-efficiency production gear allows these smaller regional stations to handle the high production volumes required by the deal, which includes up to 300 NHL games and 400 National League games per season across the MySports platform.