USTA Strategic Broadcast Overhaul Secures Global Rights Holder Control for US Open

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has successfully transitioned its US Open host broadcast operations in-house, partnering with Broadcast Services (HBS) and NEP Group to implement a comprehensive ST-2110 IP infrastructure across the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

After a decade managed externally by major sports networks, the pivot gives the organisation direct control over world feed production across all courts in 1080p HDR, aligning the tournament with fellow Grand Slam events in Australia, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros while enabling domestic broadcasters to elevate their dedicated local programming.

The operational agreement required coordinating over 170 cameras, advanced cine-style Sony rigs, and expanded audio capabilities featuring Dolby Atmos mixing across major arenas.

Despite tight construction constraints that compressed stadium cabling windows, technical teams successfully deployed NEP IP fly-packs and Lawo.edge gateways to streamline signal distribution for more than twenty international rightsholders.

Highligting the seamless execution, USTA managing director of broadcast, Patti Fallick, said: “Our rights holder partners have been happy, and this has been much smoother than I anticipated.”

“And our team can work directly with HBS to make the production and technical advances we want to keep those rights holders happy,” Fallick said.

Emphasising the flexibility of the new architecture, USTA director of technical operations, Petro Mnych, noting: “Flexibility is the big thing because in the past we have had issues with routers running out of physical outputs or having to have lots of baseband cable kicking around the compound.”

HBS broadcast engineering manager, Cynthia Granquist, said: “All rights holders are equipped with Lawo .edge gateways, with the option to upgrade to a web-based router panel, giving them the flexibility to select and access the feeds they need, whenever they need them.”

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