The Big South Conference Reveals New Network Studio

The Big South Conference announced the new Big South Network Studio as part of a recent eight-month renovation and expansion of the league’s headquarters office in Charlotte, N.C. The studio provides new video content opportunities for the conference and its membership, as well as eventual live show capabilities that are part of enhanced efforts to showcase the league’s student-athletes and athletics programs.

The new space features three functioning areas — a main interview set, a smaller one-on-one interview set, and a green-screen set. The Big South Conference worked with Atlanta-based dB Integrations (project lead) and Artes, LLC (set designer) on the project. Initial planned programming within the new Big South Network Studio will include:

• One-on-one interviews and evergreen content with coaches and student-athletes
• Breaking news announcements
• Special sport and television schedule unveils
• Game day and Championship previews
• Interviews with influential leaders in college athletics and in the community
• Interviews with Big South alumni
• Social media updates from around the Big South
• Community service reports

Future efforts will focus on special guest analysis, halftime segments for Big South Network productions on ESPN+, Player of the Week and postseason award announcements, sport-by-sport notebooks, and live studio programs — including pregame shows as well as Football and Basketball Media Day, among others.

“The development of the Big South Network studio is part of a long-range vision to present the Conference, its members, and student-athletes in the most creative and progressive manner possible,” states Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander. “As they say, ‘Content is King’, and with this studio the Big South will be able to maximize the distribution of our compelling content through programming in our new partnership with ESPN, and on digital and social media platforms.”

dB Integrations designed and installed the broadcast-quality AVL systems (audio, cameras, lighting, graphics, control) for a three-suite studio as well as infrastructure that facilitates future growth. In partnership with Artes, LLC, they created a custom set highlighting the Big South brand with a large flat screen centerpiece that enables dynamic content for every program. Artes’ set design includes a main branded media wall with detachable wing walls for wide and panned shots, custom metal laminates, and integrated internal LED lighting.

“Through our collaboration with the Big South team, the set design team, and other technical trades, we were able to deliver a broadcast studio that we are proud of,” states John Hogg of dB Integrations. “This studio will help make the Big South Network a leading voice in college sports today and for years to come. We are honored that the Big South Network entrusted this important project to us at dB Integrations.”

“The Big South had special needs in regards to studio space restrictions, sensitive design and production timelines, and budget concerns,” adds Artes Art Director Chuck Whited. “We were able to meet all of these, including a few last-minute additions, to achieve a fantastic large look in a small studio space.”