We all know about the roar of the Cheltenham Festival, but before any horses hooves have hit that famous turf, the anticipation is already building with expert insights and predictions, and the sports betting industry is awash with Cheltenham Preview content. Sports Broadcast Media (SBM) was delighted to partner up with Racing TV to help capture that excitement, supporting their team with the production of the Cheltenham Festival Big Preview Show sponsored by Ladbrokes. The challenge? Transforming a humble bar in High Wycombe into a high-quality broadcast studio setting.
A Race Against the Clock:
Just days after the initial call from Racing TV, SBM’s Head of Tech, Mark Hitchings, Programme Director, Gavin Puszczalowskyi, and Senior Video Producer, Sam Hart, packed their gear and headed south from the studios in West Yorkshire. This wasn’t your typical studio setup. The venue, Mad Squirrel taproom, more commonly known for serving up delicious margherita pizzas, rather than winning tips for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
The task was clear: create a professional studio environment that would accommodate presenter Tom Stanley and racing experts Dan Skelton, Aidan Coleman and Kevin O'Ryan, joined by Ladbrokes' Andrew Lobo, for a comprehensive look at this year's Cheltenham Festival. This meant setting up cameras, lighting, lapel microphones, sound mixing, and vision mixing – all within a tight timeframe.
From Bar to Broadcast in 60 Minutes:
Under Mark Hitchings' expert guidance, the team quickly identified the ideal studio location, rearranging tables and chairs to make way for the transformation. Within an hour, the upstairs bar and pizza kitchen was a fully functional broadcast studio. Cameras were positioned, lighting was rigged, and microphones were tested. Producers Mark (SBM) and Kieran (Racing TV) were ready to roll. Sam and Gavin, serving as cameramen, ensured perfect framing and focus.
Seamless Production, Stellar Results:
The three-hour shoot covered all the key races and talking points, divided into three segments. Thanks to SBM’s extensive experience with external broadcasts, the entire filming process was flawless, with no technical glitches - a testament to the team's expertise and meticulous preparation. The successful shoot was celebrated with a well-deserved round of applause and, of course, some delicious pizza courtesy of Matt from Mad Squirrel.
The Tech Behind the Triumphs:
The SBM remote rig, featuring BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Cameras and Studio Cameras, proved its versatility. Four cameras were recorded via an ATEM ISO, allowing for a live mix while capturing individual camera feeds for post-production refinements. The team opted for discreet lavalier microphones, providing a cleaner and more intimate audio capture, ideal for dealing with the venue's natural reverberation.
Instant Viral Success:
Within 24 hours, the preview show went live on YouTube, racking up over 33,000 within the first few days. Viewers flooded the comments section with praise, highlighting the show's quality and expert insights.
If you need assistance with your external broadcasts or studio-based recordings, then reach out to the team at Sports Broadcast Media for honest advice and expert support.
Comments