Overview
For the 2024 MLB Postseason, MLB Network leveraged BitFire’s cloud-based production infrastructure to deliver customized live broadcasts to India, marking a major shift in how the network handles global, multi-regional sports broadcasts.
By utilizing BitFire’s Media Platform, MLB Network built a full control room in the cloud, allowing it to seamlessly mix live feeds, integrate real-time commentary, and manage broadcasts without requiring physical infrastructure. This innovation enables MLB to scale production across international markets, a crucial step in expanding baseball’s reach worldwide.
Why BitFire
MLB Network needed a solution that would:
Expand its global reach by producing customized India-focused World Series broadcasts.
Eliminate physical limitations by moving production to the cloud, freeing up space at high-demand venues.
Enhance international broadcasts by integrating real-time commentary, instant replays, and graphics tailored for new audiences.
Scale on demand, allowing MLB Network to spin up cloud-based workflows for multiple global markets without the need for additional control rooms or equipment.
With BitFire’s cloud infrastructure, MLB Network transformed its approach to international broadcasting, delivering a tailored viewing experience for Indian baseball fans while maintaining broadcast quality.
Solution
BitFire’s cloud-based production model enabled MLB Network to broadcast World Series games to India by:
Building a full cloud-based control room, eliminating the need for on-site production space.
Delivering real-time, interactive broadcasts, integrating announcers from both India and Secaucus, NJ via BitFire’s FireBridge remote contribution platform.
Providing instant replays and cricket-to-baseball comparisons, making the game more accessible for new fans.
Ensuring seamless global transmission, pushing customized feeds to multiple OTT streaming platforms and regional networks.
Design & Implementation
MLB Network created a virtual control room using BitFire’s platform, managing feeds and graphics remotely. The system enabled multi-location talent integration, allowing commentators in India and the U.S. to provide live coverage.
Live Replay & Graphics Integration
The BitFire Cloud Replay system enabled real-time breakdowns and replays, enhancing the broadcast’s educational value.MLB integrated side-by-side cricket/baseball comparisons up to 10-12 times per game to help new viewers understand the sport.
Scalability for International Expansion:
MLB Network could spin up additional cloud control rooms with just a few clicks, allowing for multiple simultaneous international broadcasts. This setup has already been tested in other markets during the MLB World Tour, including broadcasts from the Dominican Republic and South Korea.