The Switch expands at-home production services
August 1, 2019
The Switch, the platform for the production and global transmission of live video, has expanded its The Switch At-Home service with the launch of an additional at-home/remote production facility in Burbank, California. The investment is designed to meet rising demand for live content, driven primarily by sports events. Broadcasters and rights holders can now leverage The Switch’s unique combination of high-end production capabilities and unmatched network reach to cost-effectively capture, edit and package even more sports and live event content, delivering it to viewers anywhere in the world, on any device.
In a changing media landscape, live sports and events remain a huge draw across all viewing platforms. Broadcasters and content producers are covering more live events than ever – creating greater opportunities to engage audiences around the world. However, tightening production budgets are driving a need for more flexible and efficient alternatives to expensive outside broadcast (OB) operations.
“We’ve established ourselves as a leader in the at-home/remote space and see real value in further investing in and expanding our offering,” says Eric Cooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Switch. “Our business model ensures that The Switch is able to economically provide access to cutting-edge technologies while maintaining unmatched levels of service, giving our customers the ability to do the same with less – or even more with the same.”
The Switch’s expanded Burbank facility is designed to cope with the growing demand for live content production and provides a single platform for delivering multiple live productions, either simultaneously or as a standalone, from any location – the Burbank control room, the customer’s control center, or remotely – at any time.
“By providing the facility and the talent we are freeing customers to focus on their core business – the content,” says George Lopez, The Switch’s Senior Vice President of Operations. “At our extended Burbank at-home facility, we can help broadcasters, rights holders and content creators move towards a smarter economic model that allows a flexible approach to live production. This ensures they can quickly scale up or down to meet the needs of a Super Bowl, a basketball game, a global awards show or an esports tournament.”
The expanded service leverages The Switch’s robust, low latency transmission network or satellite links to deliver raw (ISO) feeds, audio, and equipment control to the Burbank Remote Control Room.
Lopez notes: “Customers have the flexibility to remotely control cameras and other equipment at the event site or produce a more traditional broadcast programme. And, of course, we have the best team in the business on hand to support any aspect of the production process.”
As an established pioneer in at-home production, The Switch At-Home service has allowed customers to produce events from remote locations since as early as 2015.
The Switch At-Home is leveraged by Major League Soccer (MLS) and has successfully delivered at-home events for Fox, ESPN, Univision, NFL, TVG Network and CBS Sports. The Switch At-Home is also available for corporate enterprise customers.