TNT Sports has unveiled its most extensive college basketball schedule to date, featuring a total of 98 games this season. The network is implementing a Multi-Feed Production (MFP) model for nearly all matches, with the majority of the production crew based at its Techwood campus in Atlanta. This new approach marks a significant transformation in TNT Sports’ production workflows, aligning with the company’s recent portfolio changes.
The expanded offerings include a new 50-game package for Big East men’s basketball, alongside 15 Big 12 men’s games, over 30 additional men’s college matches, 15 Big East women’s games, and 67 NCAA March Madness matchups in collaboration with CBS Sports. Additionally, TNT Sports will cover 13 Big 12 football games and two College Football Playoff games sublicensed through ESPN. This ambitious schedule translates to more than 500 hours of live college sports, representing a 60% year-over-year increase for both TNT Sports and its platform, Bleacher Report.
Chris Brown, Vice President of Technology and Operations at Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed enthusiasm for the new direction. “College sports is one of the most exciting sports on television or streaming,” Brown stated. He likened managing the Big East college basketball package to having the playoffs for four months. He acknowledged that while challenges may arise, the team’s commitment to a fan-first approach will enhance the viewing experience.
Over the past two years, TNT Sports has transformed its Techwood campus into a remote production hub. It now features multiple control rooms tailored for various event levels. This year, many of the MLB and NHL productions were executed as MFPs from Techwood, setting a precedent that the college basketball broadcasts will follow.
Innovative Production Strategies Enhance Coverage
Brown highlighted a significant mindset shift within the organization as it prepared for the expanded college basketball schedule. Each sports brand must be represented uniquely while maintaining the storytelling quality synonymous with TNT Sports.
In the field, TNT Sports has deployed three specialized mobile units for MFP workflows: NEP’s Supershooter 63 and Supershooter 64, along with Live Media Group’s MU 28. The flexibility of the MFP model allows the network to utilize additional trucks such as NEP M12, ST-28, NCP 2, and ND 7D. While the producer and director will be on-site for all games, the broader production team—including technical directors, audio engineers, and graphics operators—will operate from the MFP control room at Techwood.
“The MFP model was designed for high volume, back-to-back games,” said Brown. He explained that the scheduling challenges inherent in college basketball necessitate this approach, allowing for control room and crew reuse based on game scheduling.
Each game this season will feature a minimum of six cameras, including at least one super-slow-motion camera, with additional cameras based on availability. Furthermore, the production team will employ three EVS replay servers, adjusting equipment levels based on the significance of each matchup.
As the opening week unfolds, TNT Sports is set to broadcast a highly anticipated game, with the #13 Arizona Wildcats facing off against the visiting Utah Tech Trailblazers at 21:00 from the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona. This season promises to deliver an exciting array of college basketball action, showcasing TNT Sports’ commitment to innovation and quality broadcasting.
