Overview
For the 2023 Cleveland Browns NFL Preseason broadcasts, Kitay Productions, Inc., led by Coordinating Producer Joel Kitay, implemented a modern IP-based workflow utilizing the BitFire Media Platform. This new distribution model successfully replaced a costly traditional satellite and fiber workflow.
Each of the three game broadcasts aired live across Ohio, including on the Browns’ primary affiliate, WEWS in Cleveland, as well as local affiliates in Toledo, Dayton, Youngstown, and Columbus. BitFire was also the chosen transmission technology for the broadcasts’ national distribution to NFL Network and FOX Sports.
Why BitFire
Kitay Productions sought to replace traditional satellite uplinks, which were expensive and logistically complex, with a more cost-effective, flexible, and streamlined transmission solution. BitFire’s cloud-based infrastructure offered a modern alternative, reducing costs while maintaining high-quality transmission.
The key objectives were:
Cost Savings: Eliminate the need for costly satellite uplinks and truck rentals.
Flexibility: Enable multiple transmission formats to accommodate different broadcaster needs.
Simplified Workflow: Reduce setup time and operational complexity for both the production team and affiliates.
Solution
BitFire provided a seamless, end-to-end IP-based transmission solution. Instead of relying on traditional satellite or fiber uplinks, redundant BitFire Engines were integrated into the Lyon Video mobile production unit. These engines delivered the full program feed as HD-SDI, including CEA-708 closed captions.
BitFire also ensured a smooth transmission by deploying engines to each local affiliate ahead of the first game, allowing for thorough testing and validation.
Design & Implementation
Cost-Effective Transmission: Eliminated satellite space rentals and lengthy check-in processes, reducing station check-in time from over an hour to just ten minutes.
Multi-Format Flexibility: BitFire adapted transmission handoffs for various needs, including a gameday request from FOX Sports to deliver the broadcast feed via SRT endpoints.
Net-Return Feed Integration: Enabled a true net-return feed from WEWS to the production truck, a capability not available in previous seasons. This allowed real-time monitoring of the live broadcast.
Feedback
Joel Kitay, Coordinating Producer of Kitay Productions, emphasized the success of the implementation:
“The idea behind my BitFire solution was to make it simpler for us, easier for the affiliates, and to do it all cheaper so we could put more money back into the production. Across three games, the result exceeded our expectations.”
“It was a 100% win for my plan to use BitFire as the transmission method. We simplified the transmission process and reduced our cost.”
Conclusion
By transitioning to an IP-based workflow powered by the BitFire Media Platform, Kitay Productions successfully cut costs, simplified operations, and increased transmission flexibility. The ability to deliver seamless, high-quality broadcasts without traditional satellite infrastructure highlights the effectiveness of BitFire’s modern transmission solutions.