Populous appoints new Head of Design for Asia Pacific
Award winning architect and designer Fiona Nixon has been appointed as leading global design and architecture firm Populous’ Head of Design for the Asia Pacific region.
This dedicated leadership role is focused on curating and elevating architectural design processes across all Populous’ projects in the region, irrespective of scale.
Fiona has split her career between Australia and Singapore specialising in the planning and design of programmatically intense environments for living, learning, leisure and work. Her projects include the Lalu Hotel Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan, the Victorian College of the Arts Centre for Ideas and the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, and Changi Airport Group Headquarters in Singapore.
Fiona will work across the entire APAC region and engage with teams globally, working closely with Global Head of Design Christopher Lee. She will be based in Populous’ Singapore studio where the firm is designing projects that will contribute to the country’s economic and social development such as the 30,000-seat NS Square and 15,000-seat arena that will complement and enhance the iconic Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.
“What excites me about this role is that it’s new and it’s purposeful. I’ve got a very specific task to ensure that we are leading by design and I’m really excited by that challenge to look across APAC and bring inspiration from projects globally. This will ensure that our designs prioritize the communities who use them and bring people into the places they love to be,” Fiona said.
Populous’ Managing Director, APAC, Richard Breslin said Fiona would foster Populous’ design strategy, approach and talent, ensuring design is at the forefront of everything the leading architecture firm does.
“Fiona brings a cross section of expertise that we are very fortunate to have with more than 35 years of experience across Australia and Asia specialising in the design of experience-driven buildings and interiors,” Richard said.
“We are excited to have Fiona as part of our team sharing her passion for integrating buildings into the fabric of cities and delivering lasting civic, social and economic value.”
Populous’ integrated global network of design leaders
Fiona joins an integrated network of design leaders at Populous, setting design standards across all Populous projects and supporting architectural teams through design reviews and educational sessions, as well as promoting equitable design that is accessible to all.
Global Head of Design Christopher Lee said that Populous’ network of regional design leaders would provide insight, innovation and in-depth knowledge of trends across building typologies.
“Fiona’s appointment is an essential part of our global design network. We are really excited about the ability of our regional design leaders to implement knowledge and learnings across our teams and help deliver consistent design excellence for our clients,” Christopher said.
“Great design is at the heart of everything we do at Populous. As our projects become more complex, it’s important that we have this dedicated focus on quality and design excellence.”
Fiona is a licensed Architect in Singapore, Australia and APEC and a member of the Singapore Institute of Architects. In 2024, she was awarded a prestigious Life Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Architects in recognition of her contribution to the advancement of the profession through design, construction, advocacy and urban design.
Comcast Business to power connection at The Players Championship
Comcast Business has announced it is again serving as the connectivity backbone of THE PLAYERS Championship at The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, powering on-course operations, deploying targeted WiFi 7 across the tournament's highest-traffic fan zones, and providing the dedicated network infrastructure that supports NBC Sports' national broadcast coverage of one of golf's most-watched events.
THE PLAYERS Championship is the PGA TOUR’s flagship event and one of the most demanding connectivity environments in professional sports, supported by nearly 600 miles of fiber infrastructure deployed across the course and broadcast operations. With hundreds of thousands of fans expected on the grounds across tournament week, and last year's Saturday setting a single-day attendance record, the scale of what Comcast Business must support is significant. At peak moments of play – a Sunday charge up the leaderboard, a clutch putt on the iconic 17th Island Green – tens of thousands of simultaneous device connections will be active across TPC Sawgrass, as fans capture, stream, and share in real time while national broadcast crews distribute live coverage to millions of viewers at home.
“THE PLAYERS sets a high bar – for the competitors and for the infrastructure behind the event. Serving as the connectivity backbone means our network must perform when the venue is at full capacity, the broadcast is live, and tens of thousands of fans are on their phones at the same moment. We approach this the same way we approach our most demanding enterprise clients – with zero tolerance for failure and infrastructure built to match. That’s what we deliver for over 90 percent of the Fortune 500, and that’s the standard we bring here,” said Eileen Diskin, Chief Marketing Officer, Comcast Business.
Targeted WiFi in High-Demand Fan Zones
Enhanced WiFi powered by Comcast Business will be available in select, high-density areas across the course, including:
- The Bowl (16 Fairway & Green; 17 Fairway & Green)
- 18 Tee
- The Grove / Food Court
- Sawgrass Square & The Comcast Business Pavilion
- Patriots Outpost
The deployment utilizes the 6GHz WiFi spectrum and WiFi 7 technology, powered by Cisco's latest high-density wireless infrastructure designed for large-scale venues, delivering enhanced performance and reliability. Rather than distributing network resources uniformly across the course, the design concentrates capacity where spectator density – and demand – is highest.
Underpinning the deployment is a network architecture built for resilience. Multiple redundant network paths ensure that a single point of failure cannot compromise connectivity during the event. The infrastructure is continuously monitored throughout the week, with rapid failover capabilities that keep fans connected and the broadcast on air when it matters most.
Powering NBC Sports’ Broadcast
Beyond the course, Comcast Business is providing the underlying network transport infrastructure that supports NBC Sports' coverage of THE PLAYERS Championship – connecting broadcast hubs, studios, and distribution points through a dedicated, high-capacity fiber network that carries live video and data reliably to millions of viewers.
In February, Comcast Business supported critical components of the linear and digital broadcast infrastructure for three of television's marquee events within the span of a single week – Super Bowl LX, the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. For the Winter Olympics alone, that meant powering the live production network connecting NBCUniversal's U.S. and international broadcast operations across more than 3,200 hours of coverage. THE PLAYERS Championship represents the next chapter in that same story.
“Measuring more than 7,000 yards, The PLAYERS Stadium Course presents a challenge for golfers and broadcasters,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer and President, Production, NBC Sports. “Comcast Business has provided the infrastructure and backbone to help us seamlessly produce a championship-level presentation for the PGA TOUR’s flagship event.”
The Comcast Business Pavilion
Located within Sawgrass Square, the Comcast Business Pavilion is part technology showcase, part hospitality destination – and entirely unlike anything else on the grounds. It's where the infrastructure powering the tournament comes to life.
Business leaders and golf fans can get hands-on with the connectivity solutions running some of today's most demanding sports and entertainment environments. IoT-enabled self-service kiosks, interactive enterprise demos, and a high-performance private wireless network put Comcast Business's real-world capabilities on display.
The Pavilion will feature a two-bay Topgolf Swing Suite powered by Comcast Business, a live SiriusXM broadcast studio, a Xfinity TV sports-viewing lounge, refreshments, and daily competitions and prizes – creating an environment designed as much for serious business conversations as for a great afternoon at the tournament.
"THE PLAYERS Championship requires strong, flexible connectivity – and Comcast Business delivers. Their network supports everything from essential tournament operations to the connected fan experience that makes this event so special. They bring enterprise-level expertise to every part of their work here, and it shows,” said Lee Smith, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS Championship.
Miami University arena plans approved by board
The new arena is expected to be complete for the beginning of the athletic season in the fall of 2028. It will address space limitations, as well as systems operations and maintenance challenges at Millett Hall, the university’s current arena.
Built in 1968, Millett Hall originally housed one varsity sport in men’s basketball. Volleyball and women’s basketball were both added in 1974. At least $175 million would be necessary to renovate, add practice courts, and a dedicated volleyball court to Millett Hall. The building would need to be taken offline for multiple years in order to complete improvements.
The new multipurpose arena will facilitate concurrent, student-related activities and other campus events, such as commencements, concerts, creative arts performances, career fairs, and more.
Recommended last year by a committee of faculty, staff, and alumni who reviewed potential locations, the Cook Field site also has abundant space and gives the ability to support additional facilities, including connection to potential future hotel and/or restaurants. Its location at the intersection of State Route 73 and U.S. 27 would allow for improved control of traffic flow and direct entrance and exit from State Route 73, limiting traffic congestion on campus.
Student-centered
“This is a student-centered project that will create a vibrant new space intended to bring people together and support and engage our students,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “A new arena will provide the foundation for an events district in the heart of campus to benefit students, reinvigorate the community, and strengthen our local economy.”
To best support student-athletes, the new arena would include more facilities than currently exist at Millett Hall, including two basketball practice courts and a volleyball arena.
“Building this new arena would powerfully continue Athletics’ commitment to graduating champions,” said Raegan Lantz, a junior Human Capital Management and Leadership major and member of the volleyball team. “While I have a deep love for Millett Hall, real challenges make it less than ideal. Securing consistent practice times is a constant struggle. Our whole team cannot fit in our training room. These issues make balancing athletics and academics harder than it should be. A new arena would solve that. Now is the time to invest.”
Lantz added, “With recent success from our Athletics teams, a new arena would continue that momentum. Most importantly, this would be far greater than just an upgrade or a pretty building. This would demonstrate that Miami is committed to women’s sports and dedicated to the success of our student-athletes."
Amber Tretter, a junior majoring in Architecture and member of the women’s basketball team, said, “Facilities send a message. They communicate investment and priorities to student-athletes but all students as well. A new arena would help continue the momentum that both basketball programs are experiencing and help solve problems with Millett Hall right now. This is the right moment to invest in the future of Athletics. Spaces shape experiences, culture, and what is possible.”
Additional opportunities
The new arena is also expected to include additional revenue generation opportunities that Millett Hall cannot accommodate.
“A new, multi-purpose arena will provide Miami with the type of state-of-the-art facility in line with large state-funded, research-focused institutions of higher education that have strong national reputations, growing student demand, and renowned student experiences,” said Adam Beissel, associate professor of Sport Leadership and Management. “Anchoring a new multi-purpose arena within a larger mixed-use development project will open new opportunities for revenue generation, enhanced student experiences, and serve an important public purpose for the city, county, and Southwest Ohio region.”
Miami’s undefeated men’s basketball team is 28-0 and ranked No. 21 in the nation in the latest AP Top 25 men’s poll. Miami basketball is part of a wave of recent RedHawk athletic success, which has included a nationally ranked ice hockey team, a second consecutive appearance in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl by the football team, the first-ever Elite Eight appearance for field hockey, and a women’s basketball team that is currently at the top of the Mid-American Conference.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams have combined for a school record 51 wins this season, besting the previous mark of 44.
“There is a high level of interest in Miami athletics and we want to continue our momentum,” Sayler said. “We want this new arena to be a very special place for both our student-athletes and our fans. This will allow us to continue to compete at a high level.”
A new arena will allow the university to expand its intramural offerings as well. Intramural soccer and flag football fields are planned at Millett Hall, along with a walking path and exercise stations.
There are also plans for a multi-purpose field supporting full-size soccer fields, softball fields, flag football fields, a rugby field, a lacrosse field, and intramural soccer fields at Chestnut Fields.
Construction of new recreation facilities at Millett and Chestnut Fields is expected to begin in May 2026 and be completed in September 2026. This will allow Cook Field to go off-line in September 2026 to begin construction of the new arena.
Tottenham Hotspur integrate UK first audio description service
The three iconic player murals outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have become the first of their kind in the UK to include audio description (AD) services for visually impaired fans.
The Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane and Ledley King murals now feature QR codes linking to audio descriptions of the designs. The initiative has been led by the David Katz Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting people with visual impairments, in partnership with MurWalls, the artists behind the murals.
The audio descriptions are voiced by Daniel Wynne, the Club’s own AD commentator on matchdays, and Chairman of the David Katz Foundation.
Match-going fans attending tomorrow’s game against Crystal Palace will be the first to enjoy the feature, with the fixture being dedicated to Level Playing Field’s ‘Unite for Access’ campaign. The campaign highlights the need to inspire and celebrate inclusion for supporters with access requirements at sports venues across the country.
Fans arriving early to the match tomorrow will be able to hear from representatives of MurWalls, as well as from SpursAbility, Spurs’ Disabled Supporters Association, about the importance of the initiative during a pitch side interview.
The murals were officially unveiled by Club Ambassador Ledley King, who put the finishing touches on his own mural at Tottenham Community Sports Centre.
Ledley said: “Inclusivity is so important and our Club does a great job in providing an accessible experience for all supporters. It is something we have always taken seriously, and it has been great to come to my mural today and see first-hand how we are providing that around the stadium."
Marc Silver, CEO & Founder of MurWalls, said: “Being part of the David Katz Foundation (DKF) from its inception has been a genuine privilege. This project is about more than murals — it’s about access, empowerment and inclusion. Through MurWalls, we were honoured to celebrate Harry, Sonny and Ledley for Tottenham Hotspur and its incredible supporters. As co-founder and trustee of DKF, I’m even prouder that we’ve helped bring the audio description to life, ensuring visually impaired fans can experience the artwork just as powerfully as everyone else.”
Matt Collings-Winter, Co-Chair of SpursAbility, Tottenham Hotspur’s Disabled Supporters Association, said: “We are thrilled that the club have elevated these three iconic murals to the next level while ensuring inclusivity not only for our members but for the wider community. We continue to be proud of the work Spurs do to make this football club a place for all.”
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium sets the benchmark for accessibility, delivering an inclusive matchday experience for supporters with disabilities.
Wembley Stadium adds 10,000 new safe standing places
Wembley Stadium connected by EE has installed 10,000 additional licensed standing seats for football fans ahead of the upcoming 2026 season.
The rail seats are located on Level 5 in the east and west sections of the stadium following a successful trial which saw licensed standing areas previously established on Level 1.
Arsenal and Manchester City supporters attending the 2026 Carabao Cup Final on Sunday 22 March will be the first fans to try out the new seats, which were installed over the winter during a programme of major works at the venue.
Seats equipped with rails have become a preferred option among football fans who choose to stand during matches. Each seat has an independent waist-high rail, providing support and safety for those wishing to stand in the licenced area.
Mark Lynch, Stadium Director, said: “The additional rail seating follows a successful trial we started in 2023 after the Government’s revision of the all-seater policy, which permitted us to offer football fans the opportunity to stand safely in designated areas within the stadium.
“Since then, we have seen first-hand the benefits this has brought to fixtures at Wembley Stadium. We have listened to supporters calls for more options about how they choose to watch a football match, and we are delighted to bring licenced standing areas into a secure environment that places supporter safety at its heart.”
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has welcomed the decision. Thomas Concannon, Fans’ Embassy Lead at the FSA, stated: “We have consistently supported legalised standing at football, and it is encouraging to see Wembley, our national stadium, expanding rail seating into Level 5. This initiative will benefit clubs across the football pyramid and the national side by enhancing matchday atmosphere and increasing options for supporters.”
In 2022, the Government enabled the creation of licensed standing areas in stadiums meeting specific criteria. Since then, numerous professional clubs have secured SGSA (Sports Grounds Safety Authority) licences to install rail seats in their venues.
The SGSA approved Wembley Stadium’s application to expand its standing areas in March 2025.
An SGSA spokesperson commented: “We are committed to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all spectators at sports grounds. Research demonstrates that fans experience improved safety and enjoyment when given the choice to sit or stand safely. The expansion of licensed standing areas at Wembley Stadium is a positive step to address persistent standing in seated areas.”
FC Barcelona granted license to increase Camp Nou capacity
FC Barcelona has received the first occupancy license granted by the Barcelona City Council corresponding to Phase 1C of the Spotify Camp Nou, which includes the opening of the North Goal.
This phase mainly incorporates the VIP spaces and lounges located between the first and second tiers of the stadium. Specifically, the following hospitality spaces are enabled:
· Pitch Club and Main Hub, located in the Grandstand.
· Mini Hub, located in the Lateral stand.
With the activation of these spaces and the North Goal area, the available capacity of Spotify Camp Nou is increased to 62,652 spectators.
In addition, this phase also includes the activation of the new area designated for the supporters’ stand, located in the South Goal and named Gol 1957, in reference to the historic year in which the stadium was inaugurated. This space is designed to strengthen the atmosphere and the support of the fans during matches.
FC Barcelona continues to move forward in the progressive opening process of the new Spotify Camp Nou, gradually expanding the operational areas of the stadium while guaranteeing at all times the highest standards of safety, comfort and experience for members and fans.
Chicago Fire partner with WillScot during construction period
Following its new stadium groundbreaking last week, Chicago Fire FC today announced a partnership with WillScot, North America’s largest and most trusted provider of temporary space solutions. For more than 80 years, WillScot has powered progress across jobsites, businesses, and communities, delivering modular offices, storage containers, and other turnkey solutions that keep projects moving.
As part of the partnership agreement, WillScot will supply onsite workspace, storage, and restroom facilities throughout the duration of construction for the Club’s new 22,000‑capacity, privately-funded stadium at The 78 in Chicago's South Loop, expected to open in 2028.
"We are thrilled to partner with WillScot and ensure our new stadium is equipped with the best-in-class temporary space solutions following our official groundbreaking,” said Goyo Perez, Senior Vice President Corporate Partnerships at Chicago Fire FC. "WillScot’s expertise and innovation aligns with our commitment to create cutting-edge facilities for both the Club and for the city of Chicago.”
“At WillScot, we’re driven by the opportunity to support meaningful progress in the communities we serve, including this project that will energize the people of Chicago,” said Corey Salemi, VP of Product & Marketing at WillScot. “By providing modern, high‑quality workspace and storage solutions, we’re ensuring the construction teams have the reliable, efficient infrastructure needed to keep this ambitious development moving on schedule.”
WillScot will also be featured across a range of assets at Chicago Fire FC home matches and at the new stadium construction zone in The 78.
Gensler appoint Regional Sports Leader for APME region
Gensler has announced the appointment of Elliott Pears as Regional Sports Leader for Asia Pacific and the Middle East (APME). Recognised globally for its impact across architecture and design, the firm continues to expand its leadership platform through strategic appointments in key growth regions.
“Elliott brings a rare combination of global expertise and local insight,” said Lisa Munao, Managing Director of Gensler Australia. “His leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver sports and entertainment venues that engage communities and create lasting value.” An Australian-born architect, Pears returns home to lead the growth of the regional Sports & Entertainment Practice, reinforcing Gensler’s long-term commitment to one of the world’s most dynamic sports and entertainment markets.
“Returning to Australia and working with clients across APME is both exciting and meaningful,” said Pears. “This region has a deep passion for sport and entertainment, and a growing ambition to deliver venues that enhance fan engagement and contribute to long-term community value. I’m excited to combine global insight with local collaboration to shape environments that perform on every level.”
Across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, sports and entertainment infrastructure is entering a new phase of investment and reinvention. In India, public and private capital is driving upgrades to legacy stadiums and the development of flexible, multi-sport, entertainment-ready venues. In China and Southeast Asia, basketball and football are fuelling demand for high-performance arenas and advanced training facilities. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, sports precincts are increasingly designed as anchors for tourism and mixed-use development. This regional momentum aligns closely with Gensler’s approach to sports and entertainment design, integrating venue, city, and experience thinking to create spaces that perform year-round, reflect local culture, and support broader economic and community objectives.
“APME represents one of the most compelling growth frontiers for sport globally,” said Ryan Sickman, Global Leader of Gensler’s Sports Practice. “Expanding our leadership platform into the region is a deliberate step in strengthening our global network. Elliott’s ability to bridge creative vision and technical execution positions us to accelerate growth across APME and deliver the high-performance environments our clients expect.”
Gensler’s Sports & Entertainment Practice has established itself as a global leader, shaping high-performance venues that engage communities and drive economic and cultural impact. From internationally recognised stadiums and arenas, including Al-Ahly Stadium in Egypt, Capital One Arena and Crypto.com Arena in the U.S., to regional projects such as Melbourne Park Visioning in Australia and Spark Arena renovations in Auckland, the firm brings world-class expertise to both global and local markets. Complementing its sports portfolio, Gensler is also redefining live entertainment spaces. Elliott has led high-profile projects such as Live Nation’s Lima Arena in Peru and the Charlotte Music Venue in the U.S., blending design and technology to create spaces that perform year-round and resonate with local audiences.
“Sport plays an outsized role in shaping culture and economic vitality across Asia Pacific and the Middle East,” said Theresa Sheils, Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler APME. “Elliott’s appointment reinforces our long-term commitment to expanding the Sports Practice in the region, enabling us to deliver precinct-scale projects that go beyond game day and create lasting value for athletes, fans, and communities alike.”
With more than 15 years of experience delivering complex stadiums, arenas, and large-scale masterplans globally, Pears has overseen projects across all five major U.S. sports leagues as well as major European football leagues, bringing that expertise home to Australia. Licensed in both the United States and Australia, he combines design leadership with strategic insight, ensuring sports and entertainment venues generate lasting cultural, social, and commercial value.
AFC Bournemouth appoint contractor for ground expansion
AFC Bournemouth has appointed Stadium Structures as preconstruction partner on plans to expand the Vitality Stadium to more than 20,000 seats.
The contractor said it had already been working with the Premier League club for several months on hospitality refurbishments before securing the wider preconstruction role.
Stadium Structures said it would now lead design and construction planning for the capacity increase at the south coast ground. The firm added that the work would be phased, starting with enabling works.
The company said it would use its standard construction methods to reduce disruption to supporters during the redevelopment.
It said the project aimed to increase capacity and improve the matchday experience at the stadium, while respecting the ground’s heritage.
The announcement comes after Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council gave planning approval in January for the scheme, which data provider Glenigan has estimated at £85m.
The redevelopment will see the stadium’s capacity rise from 11,286 seats to just over 20,000, although the club says the scheme remains subject to further permissions.
A fuller planning application is at the consultation stage and is expected to be considered by the council’s planning committee in early May 2026.
A Stadium Structures spokesman said: “The hard work starts now.”
Lawo Delivers Fully IP‑Based Video Infrastructure for University of Nebraska’s HuskerVision
The University of Nebraska’s HuskerVision has completed the second phase of a multi‑year modernization effort with the deployment of a comprehensive ST 2110‑based video infrastructure powered by Lawo. Following an audio‑first transformation in 2023—HuskerVision’s initial step into IP workflows—the new video implementation brings all major athletic venues into a unified, software‑based production environment. The result is a campus‑wide media fabric capable of handling simultaneous shows from multiple control rooms, while giving student operators access to the same tools used in top‑tier broadcast facilities.
The earlier audio upgrade had introduced HuskerVision to Lawo’s IP ecosystem through mc²56 production consoles, A__UHD Core processing, A__stage 64 and A__mic 8 interfaces, and HOME Management for routing and orchestration. “Doing audio first was key,” recalls recently retired Chief Engineer Scott Guthrie. “We learned timing, stream management, PTP, device discovery—all the fundamentals. When it came time to roll out video, everyone was ready.”
That readiness was crucial as the university moved towards their SMPTE ST 2110 implementation designed and integrated by BeckTV. With Nebraska’s athletic venues spread across a wide geographic area—including Memorial Stadium, Hawks Championship Center, the Devaney Center, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Haymarket Park, and the Dillon tennis and Hibner soccer complexes—the goal was to bring all locations together through a single IP backbone feeding three co‑located control rooms inside Memorial Stadium. This allowed operational consolidation while dramatically boosting routing flexibility.
At the core of the new video infrastructure is Lawo’s .edge platform, used both as a high‑density gateway and as a full IP processing node. Multiple .edge frames provide 3G‑SDI and 12G‑SDI ingest, while native ST 2110 connectivity and quad‑25GbE interfaces feed the production fabric. The system’s ability to present SDI inputs as network “proxies” gives HuskerVision high scalability with minimal bandwidth overhead. “We can bring in signals from any venue—whether five cameras from volleyball or a full football package—and everything just shows up in the fabric,” says Director of Technology Garrett Hill. “Routing video or audio essences independently is as easy as moving blocks around.”
One of the most operationally transformative areas is the truck dock at Memorial Stadium. Using .edge for video and A__stage64 for audio, HuskerVision can now exchange 24×24 bidirectional signals with national broadcast trucks, accommodating 12G‑SDI, HDR, SDR and ST 2110 feeds without additional hardware. “Trucks get whatever flavor they want,” says Guthrie. “Up, down, HDR, SDR—it’s all handled right there in the IP edge.” Hill notes that the increase in available I/O and native processing “has completely changed how we interact with visiting crews.”
Workflows inside the control rooms benefit heavily from Lawo’s HOME Apps, running on COTS servers. The HOME Multiviewer, combined with theWall layout builder, enables dynamic, venue‑specific monitoring setups that can be reconfigured in seconds. Meanwhile, the HOME UDX app provides on‑demand up/down/cross conversion directly in the network, reducing the need for traditional baseband converters. BeckTV Senior Engineer and Nebraska alumnus Brock Raum describes this flexibility as the project’s defining characteristic: “From season to season your shows change—and sometimes just from sport to sport. You might have soccer in one control room one day and football in another. With HOME Apps you shut down the tools you don’t need and spin up the ones you do. We’ve played with the webRTC app, downstream keying, UDX—you name it. The flexibility of using COTS hardware with the HOME App system is the highlight of the whole solution. If I need an app for a set of shows, I use FLEX credits. When I don’t, I shut it down and reuse those credits for something else.”
All workflows—video routing, tally, device control and multiviewer changes—are orchestrated through Lawo VSM, which gives operators a single, intuitive control layer across the multi‑venue environment. According to Guthrie, “VSM lets us go from a big‑screen volleyball show to a press‑conference recording setup with one or two clicks. In a schedule where events overlap constantly, that’s huge.”
Because HuskerVision relies heavily on student operators, the accessibility of the system was essential. Seven full‑time staff oversee a large student team who are involved in every aspect of the productions. Raum says, “Students are doing real engineering tasks now. They’re learning on the same tools used in the broadcast trucks.” Guthrie adds, “They learn the backend—how to modify layouts, manage essences, fix routes. And they get it.” Hill emphasizes the career value: “Training on the best gear helps them get jobs. Our students leave here ready for the industry.”
With the new IP backbone, HuskerVision can now scale productions, transport media content more efficiently between venues, and support multiple overlapping events with unprecedented ease. As Guthrie puts it, “Our business is making the fans happy. And with this system, we can do better than ever before.”