The stereotypical strategy for many regional sports networks is to spend money and time programming live events, while cutting corners with studio programming.
Fox Sports South turned that idea on its head, finishing a multimillion-dollar rebuild of its 1,800-square-foot Atlanta studios complete with 11 monitors, interchangeable LED lighting, a four-person anchor
desk, and demonstration areas for three sports.
“We never had the technology on the set that we have right now,” said Jeff Genthner, Fox Sports South senior vice president and general manager. “This gives us a crisper presentation.”
Designed by Fox Sports Media Group’s executive vice president and creative director,
Gary Hartley, the new set is modeled after sets that Fox Sports uses for the Super Bowl and World Series.
The six-month construction process started in April. Fox Sports South produced its first show from the set on Oct. 14 (“The New College Football Show”).
“With OTT, Hulu and Netflix, sports is now the most
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On the set in Atlanta with Fox Sports South (from top): Atlanta Hawks talent in the demo area, the set for seated interview, the football demo area, on the Hawks set, and the anchor desk.
Photo by: JENNIE GIRTMAN / ATLANTA EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY (5)
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attractive genre on TV,” Genthner said. “The investments we make on how sports are presented have to track alongside that popularity.”
Fox Sports South, which has programming deals with the Braves, Hawks, Hornets and others, did not disclose the cost of the new studio.
