EMG and Gravity Media successfully merged in January 2024, creating one of the world’s largest broadcast technology and production companies. This combination of talent, innovation, and resources now delivers broadcast, production, and post-production solutions across many of the world’s most-watched live events.
TNT Sports is the ultimate home for sports fans in the UK and Ireland, available across all major TV platforms it offers an impressive line-up of channels. The TNT Sports portfolio of premium live sports rights, previously carried by BT Sport, includes the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE.
An established partnership
Following on from a longstanding relationship, EMG / Gravity Media needed to integrate TNT Sports into its cutting-edge Production Centre at The WestWorks building in White City, London. The objective was to seamlessly transfer TNT’s equipment from existing studios to the new facilities, creating an efficient, innovative, and sustainable remote production hub.
The collaboration with TNT Sports, began during the pandemic when EMG partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe and BT Group, to establish remote production galleries in EMG’s High Wycombe studios and Stratford BT premises. With the launch of The WestWorks facilities in July 2023, EMG / Gravity Media moved TNT Sports’ equipment to White City to complete phase one of the transition, with phase two implemented in February 2024.
State-of-the-art solution
EMG / Gravity Media has established a bespoke, client-centric, remote production centre at WestWorks. TNT Sports joins ATP Media and Formula E within the 50,000-square-foot facility featuring best-in-class technology, supporting both on-premise and distributed remote production workflows.
The WestWorks infrastructure is based around a fully-fledged 2110 IP media fabric, with dedicated master control rooms, six production control rooms with audio control rooms, and seven flexi control rooms. It incorporates multiple off-tube commentary booths, two studios, lighting and vision control facilities, fast turnaround and craft edit facilities, flexi desk production spaces, media management, and client desking.
The successful onboarding of TNT Sports at The WestWorks Production Centre marks a significant milestone in EMG / Gravity Media’s commitment to innovation and excellence. The collaboration leverages the Group’s remote production expertise and engineering talent, with a particular focus on sustainability.
The next phase of integration
The move to The WestWorks was driven by a strategic consolidation of resources and a shared vision for a more environmentally conscious future. EMG / Gravity Media is focused on ensuring interoperability across the group and enabling seamless collaboration with client centres globally. The combined team is uniquely placed in its capacity to manage, orchestrate, and deliver remote production services for TNT Sports.
Eamonn Curtin, Global Client Director and TNT Account Director, at EMG/Gravity Media said:
“We’ve been on this journey with TNT Sports from the very start, ensuring they are positioned to exploit the latest in remote production technology. This new facility contributes to TNT Sports’ 80/20 model, ensuring 80% of all live outside broadcasts are delivered remotely. The aim is to consolidate resources for outstanding results and maximise our combined skill set through EMG / Gravity Media. This partnership has made our long-lasting collaboration even stronger and reflects both party’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
Scott Young, Group SVP Content, Production & Business Operations, WBD Sports Europe, said:
“The latest development in our longstanding strategic partnership with EMG / Gravity Media has delivered a state-of-the-art solution which maximises our remote production capabilities and enables us to seamlessly create content though a more flexible and sustainable approach. This ensures storytelling remains at the heart of everything we do, supporting our ‘right by the fans’ mantra, and brings our viewers even closer to the sports they love.”
The successful integration of TNT Sports is part of the next phase of innovation for EMG / Gravity Media. The team is working together to streamline facilities, workflows, and content on a global scale, offering customisable solutions to productions of all types and sizes. This consolidated approach will also nurture young talent, by providing them with access to state-of-the-art equipment and valuable experience, supporting the long-term success of the broadcast and production industry.
The project showcases EMG / Gravity Media’s dedication to fostering long-lasting partnerships and providing tailored solutions that address the unique needs of each client.
