Manchester City installs Blackmagic solutions in its Academy Stadium

The system created by Timeline TV allows two signals to be obtained: one is sent to the 15 m2 screen located in the stadium and to the different broadcasters, while the other is transmitted through the club's channels.

Manchester City Football Club has implemented a product-based system Blackmagic Design, with the aim of carrying out audiovisual productions at the Academy Stadium, a sports venue that is part of the City Football Academy training and youth development center.

The platform, which includes four Blackmagic Studio Camera units, an ATEM 1 M/E Production Studio 4K switcher and a Smart Videohub 40×40 matrix switcher, is used not only to broadcast content through the venue's giant screens during Women's League matches and the U-21 and U-23 categories, but also to broadcast matches on Facebook Live.

The system created by Timeline TV allows two signals to be obtained: one is sent to the 15 m² screen located in the stadium and to the different broadcasters, while the other is transmitted through the club's channels.

Paula Livsley, production manager at Manchester City, comments: "The installation of this platform needed to reflect the way in which the coverage of sporting events has evolved over recent years. From the beginning we needed a solution that would allow us to share the action on the pitch, not only with the spectators at the Academy Stadium, but also with all the international fans in different parts of the world."

"Depending on the importance of the match, the production team can be made up of up to 15 members, including the four cameramen located next to the court and on special platforms above the stands, as well as commentators and graphic producers. The main difference between the two signals is the superimposed graphic elements and analytical data that are added to the program created using the ATEM mixers. In addition to these signals, we also add instant replays and images to analyze questionable plays," says Livsley.

Additionally, the team conducts player interviews and produces exclusive additional content that is broadcast before and after each match on Manchester City channels.

Studio Camera Versatility

Livsley added, "Studio Camera units can be placed on a tripod or attached to a pole, and also provide exceptional images, both in the stadium and during studio recordings. Within the sports venue, we use fiber optics to connect the cameras to the production center. Each of the locations has an ATEM Camera Converter and, in turn, the ATEM Talkback Converter 4K located in the control room provides the ability to communicate with the operators and activate the pilot lights through these connections."

The distribution of signals within the Manchester City Academy Stadium is carried out through a Blackmagic Smart Videohub 40×40 matrix. This device is the central axis of the stadium's optical infrastructure.

Matches broadcast on Facebook Live attract large audiences, and the club expects viewership numbers to continue to rise. «This system highlights the various distribution channels that we can take advantage of so that fans have the opportunity to see their team in action. The solution we created around Blackmagic products not only gives us the flexibility required in a traditional stadium, but also allows us to meet our needs as content producers. It should also be noted that Timeline TV played a fundamental role in the implementation of an effective and reliable platform, in line with our budget,” concludes Paula Livsley.