A Decade of REMI at ESPN – An Inside Look at the Past, Present & Future of the Innovative Production Approach

Since its origins at ESPN in December 2014, REMI (Remote Integration) has helped deliver millions of hours of live event coverage thanks to collaboration across Disney. Here's a look at some of the many milestones

Dan Lannon
(Kelly Backus/ESPN Images)

The innovative REMI (Remote Integration) approach has enabled ESPN to deliver a previously unthinkable amount of live event coverage and enhanced content by utilizing production crews in fixed facilities, thanks to tremendous collaboration and industry-leading workflows.

REMI’s origin was right here at ESPN. Since its inception 10 years ago this week, countless people across ESPN Content Operations, ESPN Production, Disney Entertainment, and ESPN Technology have helped drive ESPN’s leadership in this space and create more options for fans.

Dan Lannon, Senior Director, REMI Production Operations, takes Front Row inside the tech’s decade of development via the timeline below.

THE BEGINNING

DEC. 2, 2014: MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

– STEPHEN F. AUSTIN VS. MEMPHIS

 

An industry milestone, the first REMI required months of planning, involving many across the company working together to create and implement this model.

THE INNOVATION

ESPN has driven the development of technology across the industry to expand capabilities, enhance functionality, and increase reliability.

 

SEPT. 20, 2016: MLB – SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS VS. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Here’s a look at the 2023 Monday Night Football REMCO EVS Replay Room. (Dan Lannon/ESPN)

ESPN’s first REMCO (Remote Control) production, remotely controlling replay. The 2017 season featured REMCO workflows across ESPN’s MLB coverage, with the NBA deploying the model that same year.

FALL 2019


ESPN Production Operations created REMI Operations, a dedicated operations team improved and expanded the use of innovative models across ESPN.

MARCH 2020


Temporary Graphics Operating Facilities were created in the DC2 Scene Dock to support social distancing. (Dan Lannon/ESPN)

The pandemic required everyone to think differently about how to safely produce content, accelerating the development of new technology and adopting remote integration workflows. NBA BUBBLE | KBO | STUDIO SHOWS

When sports resumed, there was a unique overlap of seasons. The implementation of REMI workflows allowed ESPN to bring every key moment to fans while keeping everyone safe. WNBA1 | WNBA2 | NBA | NFL DRAFT

In the January 2021 video below, ESPN’s Vice President of Production Tim Corrigan – who then was a senior coordinating producer – provides some insights into remote production.

Jon McLeod produced the video above

DECEMBER 2021 MARCH 2022


Here’s a look at the 2024 Australian Open control room – PCR D70 in Digital Center 1. (Dan Lannon/ESPN)

ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., campus launched the first production facilities designed exclusively for REMI productions.

 

JANUARY 2023 – MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: DAVIDSON VS. GEORGE MASON

PCR D91 in DC1 was modified to support the first cloud-based production. (Dan Lannon/ESPN)

This game on Jan. 14, 2023 marked ESPN’s first REMI All-in-One Cloud-Based production on ESPNU.

 

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

REMI productions are widely accepted within the industry. The scale of events only continues to grow while multiple REMI productions occur almost every day. Technology is also rapidly changing and ESPN is at the forefront, thanks to the unending dedication of so many individuals, as well as world-class collaboration across teams at ESPN and The Walt Disney Company.

We have made significant investments to develop technology used on REMI productions. Recent focuses include efforts to reduce latency and expand the number of cameras and paths, analyst-controlled telestrators, virtual telestration, virtual advertisements, and the implementation of cloud-based Super SloMo replay and full All-in-One productions.

All of these efforts continue with the mission to improve the viewing experience and best serve fans.

 

ESPN’S USE OF REMI BY THE NUMBERS

 

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