From the Radio World “Who’s Buying What” page: In New Zealand, the Sport Nation radio network’s new broadcast studios are using technology from Lawo and Densitron.
Sport Nation is owned by the Entain Media Group and is a 24-hour sports talk network broadcast throughout the country. Entain said the network reaches approximately 30,000 New Zealanders per week through a simulcast of FM and AM signals, as well as its online stream.
Entain said the state-of-the-art studios are a major leap forward in its goal for Sport Nation to become a multiplatform network. The companies involved describe the result as combining modern audio infrastructure with studio control and sleek aesthetics.
Professional Audio & Television, which provides services to Australia and New Zealand and was the project’s integrator, designed the technical backbone to ensure the studios are “future ready,” according to a release.
Lawo’s diamond radio consoles are the centerpiece of Sport Nation’s facility. The consoles are 18-fader desks featuring high-resolution displays and multiple configuration options.
The consoles are supported by Lawo’s Power Cores, which provide the DSP engine and I/O to handle mixing, routing and audio processing across the Sport Nation facility.
The studios also use Lawo’s VisTool touchscreen interface and Crystal virtual consoles, which allow control and remote-ready operations from any workstation.
Sport Nation is using a Densitron IDS system to manage studio control and branding. That includes its signage and lighting, as well as clocks, countdowns and camera triggers. The station also uses Denistron ProDecks, which allow its hosts to adjust microphones, headphones and talkback channels without breaking the flow of a live show.
Arista switch fabric is behind Sport Nation’s IP infrastructure, which provides high-bandwidth connectivity. iHSE KVM systems allow operators low-latency access to computers and applications from anywhere in the facility.
Integrator PAT said the project represented another chapter in its collaboration with the Entain Media Group.
“Not only does it look killer but it enables us to create content that wouldn’t have been possible before,” said Riccardo Bell, an on-air host and executive producer at Sport Nation.
