“As athletes get better, and the stories around them get better, there needs to be a better set of tools to tell those stories.”
— Patrick Sullivan, President, Game Creek Video
Drawing more than 1,800 top professionals to Midtown Manhattan’s New York Hilton, SVG Summit once again proved why it remains one of the premier gatherings for the sports broadcasting community. Now entering its 20th year, the Summit delivered two packed days of panels, workshops, and networking, bringing together broadcast engineers, buyers, technologists, and industry leaders from across the ecosystem.
The exhibit hall was equally vibrant, featuring many of our valued vendor partners, including Shure, Telos Alliance, Solid State Logic, Audinate, and others—making it a strong mix of insight, innovation, and conversation.
Day One: ST-2110 Momentum & the Evolution of Broadcast Audio
Our team spent much of Day One in two particularly informative sessions. The morning segment, "Live Production Innovation: The Move to ST-2110," offered a candid look at how the adoption of the IP standard has accelerated over the past year. Across manufacturers, broadcasters, and mobile unit providers, a consistent theme emerged: ST-2110 is delivering real-world benefits—reduced costs, simplified logistics, and unprecedented operational flexibility.
Several examples stood out:
- NBC Sports shared how it manages more than 9,000 sources and 17,000 destinations across 12 control rooms—many operating simultaneously during the Olympics—enabling language feeds, alternate broadcasts, and rapid reconfiguration.
- Tony Staires (Lawo) noted that ST-2110 is essentially the only way a venue as complex as The Sphere in Las Vegas can function from an audio perspective.
- Mobile unit providers, including Nick Del’Omo of NEP, emphasized how IP workflows make it easier to standardize configurations across fleets, reducing setup time and on-site complexity.
That said, challenges remain. Panelists were candid about ongoing concerns around PTP clocking, particularly when GPS is part of the signal chain. Still, there was broad agreement that the flexibility ST-2110 provides is ultimately “raising the floor,” leading to higher expectations—and a better experience—for viewers.
In the afternoon, Dale Pro Audio was proud to sponsor the SVG Audio Production and Distribution workshop, hosted by SVG Audio Chairman Roger Charlesworth. The session covered a wide range of topics, including:
- The continued rollout of ATSC 3.0 / NextGen TV
- The emergence and growing adoption of IP-enabled microphones
- Expanding applications for AI in broadcast audio
- A preview of NBC’s audio production plans for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy
Key takeaways included the ongoing need for faster data delivery (with Dolby introducing updated protocols), the transformative potential of IP microphones for control and deployment, and the steady shift toward virtualized workflows across production environments.
Day Two: The State of Sports Broadcasting—And What’s Next
Day Two centered largely in the main Trianon Ballroom, beginning with a keynote from SVG US Chairman Mike Davies (FOX Sports). His remarks set the tone for a particularly active period ahead, pointing to a busy and consequential 2026 on the horizon for sports broadcasting.
Throughout the day, panels offered a clear snapshot of where the industry stands—and where it’s headed:
- FIFA shared insight into its centralized command center model for the upcoming World Cup, operating from a single production compound in Dallas.
- The continued rise of remote production was highlighted as a major driver for new trucks, flypacks, and scalable workflows to support increasing event volume.
- Broadcast leaders discussed managing growth amid uncertainty, including evolving tariff and trade considerations.
- Representatives from major North American sports leagues explored shifting media rights strategies, with indications that more localized models could influence the volume and type of content produced during events.
- Across multiple sessions, there was a consistent call to action around recruiting and developing the next generation of technical talent to keep pace with industry expansion.
RF Spectrum Tech Talk: More Pressure Ahead
One of the more sobering discussions came during the RF Spectrum Tech Talk session. Experts from NABA and across the RF community examined the proposed FCC auction of portions of the “C Band” (3.7-4.2 GHz) and what it could mean for live production. While outcomes remain uncertain, the consensus was clear: spectrum pressure isn’t easing, and broadcasters must continue to plan proactively to protect critical wireless operations.
Operations Manager and our resident sports media enthusiast, Ross Lager, shares his perspective on the event:
"Each year, this show raises the bar. The SVG Summit brings together the brightest minds in the broadcast industry to provide a wealth of knowledge that you won’t find anywhere else. The event proves that innovation thrives when these minds have a platform to come together. It’s not every day you can listen to Presidents, CEOs, and Directors from leaders in sports like ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX, and the four major sports leagues. Yet year after year, these people share their vision, and the room is packed to take it all in.
For me, working in an audio company, this event is inspiring. It highlights the many people who play a role in the biggest sporting events of the year, and connecting with these important people makes me excited about the projects to come. The SVG Summit reminds us that progress in sports media is not optional – it's essential."
This recap only scratches the surface of the conversations and insights shared at SVG Summit 2025. Connect with us to dive deeper into any of these topics—and to explore what matters most for your workflows, facilities, and future plans.
