ESPN America receives bespoke OB from SIS Live

SIS Live is set to launch the latest addition to its fleet, SIS 65, on 17th September, delivering a bespoke OB for ESPN America.

Following a multi-million pound, three-year deal with ESPN in July 2010, SIS Live has supplied a full season of football and sought new ways to innovate its approach to delivering football to ESPN customers across the globe.

The SIS 65 build was designed specifically for the requirements of ESPN America, and was commissioned to provide coverage of the English Premier League to the US market.

The 11.5 metre vehicle was designed by the SIS Live in-house engineering team, has a Mercedes chassis and is HD capable and 5.1 surround sound-ready. The 2-tier, single-expand production vehicle layout is designed to provide space for seven production staff and seven operators, as well as including a dedicated 3 person VTR area. It is also four-camera capable, featuring a For-A mixer, a Miranda hybrid router, glue and multi-viewers, a Calrec Zeta audio console and a Riedel comms system.

Stephen Cook, executive producer, ESPN, said “Having developed our requirements over the past year we approached SIS LIVE to deliver a custom-built, compact and self-sufficient unit which would provide us with a high level of facility for use over the next two years.”

On 17th September, SIS 65 will make its first outing to cover Blackburn Rovers versus Arsenal at Ewood Park. Although built to serve ESPN requirements, SIS 65, when available, will also be able to take on other ad hoc duties, such as Champions League matches.

David Meynell, managing director, SIS Live, added, “The delivery of SIS 65, which was bespoke designed and built to ESPN specifications, demonstrates our commitment to serving our clients with high quality vehicles to meet their needs. SIS 65’s small size, flexibility and ease of deployment make it a significant addition to our fleet.”