The Switch, the platform for the production and global delivery of live video, has been chosen by Brazilian pay-TV market leader Globo to deliver live coverage of the 2020 US Open to its growing audience of tennis fans across Brazil. Capitalizing on The Switch’s extensive video distribution network, Globo is able to ensure that uninterrupted, high-quality live feeds from the Grand Slam tennis tournament reach its 45 million subscribers while enjoying unprecedented flexibility and control over the delivery and production values.
The Switch is capturing all the most exciting action at the US Open via 20 live feeds from the US Tennis Association’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. All feeds are ingested into an onsite video and audio router and monitored via a 16 channel multi-viewer. Globo have direct access to the multi-viewer output via an internet data connection at the venue, also provided by The Switch.
This innovative set-up allows the broadcaster to then choose via the multi-viewer which feeds to receive from the video and audio router via three dedicated transmission paths, provided by The Switch for delivery at full resolution. The transmit paths connect The Switch’s New York Network Operations Center (NOC) with Globo’s Rio production facility via a 100 Mbps ASI stream. This arrangement gives Globo the flexibility to pick and mix the best live action to broadcast throughout the US Open.
Rick Behar, Senior Vice President of Sales at The Switch, said: “It is fantastic to be working with Globo for the third year running and we are excited about being able to offer them the ability to directly select and switch to the 2020 US Open coverage that will most engage Brazilian audiences. The rapid-paced nature of a major tennis tournament means that there are many key matches being played close together or even at the same time and this year’s unique and innovative set-up gives Globo greater flexibility and control than ever.”
The Switch is providing full-time transmission for the US Open until it concludes September 13, when the last final is played. All signals will be in the format delivered by USTA.
Behar notes: “Being able to innovate while providing the robust connectivity that Globo needs has enabled The Switch to work as a partner on this project. Ultimately, if we can use our knowledge and expertise to enable a broadcaster like Globo to seamlessly deliver a better subscriber experience, then we will go the extra mile to do that.”
In addition to supporting transmission from the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, The Switch will be providing leading edge connectivity at Stade Roland Garros in Paris for the French Open in October and the All England Club for next year’s Wimbledon. These are among nearly 180 connected professional sports venues linked via The Switch network to studios, production facilities and satellite uplinks/downlinks around the world.
