Rochester Red Wings Team up with Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 to Produce a Winning Season Live on Television

October 24, 2007

Source: Broadcast Pix

The Rochester Red Wings, Triple A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League baseball team recently completed their 2007 season with a 77-64 record. Red Wings fans were treated this year to live telecasts of the team in action for the first time exclusively on Time Warner Cable. The telecasts were made possible with the addition of Broadcast Pix’s Slate 2100 switcher. The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 system integrates a production switcher, production control panel, Inscriber CG, clip store, and multi-view monitoring, among other functions, in a single workstation-based system.

Time Warner Cable and the Red Wings began a long-term agreement to televise a minimum of 20 live games per season on Time Warner Sports Net (TWSN) channel 26. Red Wings Director of Game Day Production, Jeff Coltoniak, says the team considered this a great opportunity. “What we were producing before was meeting the needs of the ballpark. Once we reached a television deal with Time Warner Cable, we knew we needed to upgrade to broadcast standards in a timely manner.”

The Red Wings Game Day production team previously employed an analog switcher and two-camera system which displayed field action on a video scoreboard. Advertisements from sponsors were played through a DVD player during inning breaks and transmitted through an in-house system to the scoreboard and ballpark suites.

“While the setup we had was fine, I’d always wanted to do more with our in-house productions,” said Coltoniak. “The temptation to go overboard with equipment was there, but we needed to be practical and make responsible choices. We were able to get the Slate 2100 integrated and up and running fairly quickly. What’s more, I have all the flexibility I need to produce a great show for the fans in the stadium and at home.”

The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 can be operated with a production switcher-style control panel or by using a keyboard and mouse interface. In addition to the Slate 2100 system’s integrated design, the Red Wings production team found the system’s compact footprint ideal for its situation. A large wall monitor displays Slate's Multi-View, showing monitors for cameras, program, preview, clips and graphics.

“The single operator feature of the Slate 2100 solved two challenges with one fell swoop,” said Coltoniak. “We have limited control room size and usually have to work with a single operator. The design of the switcher is very compact and one operator can easily switch cameras, run spots and post basic graphics. In those instances when we’re going live, we can then add extra hands to make the show more elaborate.”

The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 enhances the fans experience at the stadium as well. The Red Wings management considers the addition of live television to be a bonus offering for their loyal fans. The team is drawing its highest attendance since 1999, according to Coltoniak.

“When we first talked about having our games on television, we were concerned that ticket sales might be affected,” said Coltoniak. “But with the addition of this equipment, we’ve been able to increase the overall fan experience through the scoreboard and suite monitors as well. The fans benefited the most, because regardless of whether we’re broadcasting or not, we’re doing a show for the fans.”

About Broadcast Pix Broadcast Pix is the leader in combining technologies from the computer and live television equipment industries to create an innovative family of “video switchers”. Broadcast Pix switchers are a fraction of the cost of conventional live television production solutions, and can be run by a single operator instead of requiring a team. Customers include over 500 leading broadcasters, webcasters, cable stations, stadiums, corporate, education, religious and government studios in over 40 countries, including CBS, NBC and ESPN. Broadcast Pix is based at 3 Federal Street Billerica, Massachusetts, with offices in California, North Carolina and Europe.

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