Production of the international feed for ITF in Bologna, 10-15 September

From 10 to 15 September, Bologna hosted the qualification round for the Davis Cup finals, where national tennis teams from around the world faced off. The Unipol Arena was the venue where Italy competed with the Netherlands, Brazil, and Belgium in Group A. EMG Italy's goal was to ensure television coverage and produce the international feed while maintaining the high standards required for such a significant event in the global tennis calendar.

A high-level TV production

The event featured a large-scale television production, jointly managed by EMG Italy and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the global governing body of tennis, including the Olympics. EMG Italy provided broadcast equipment, specialized personnel, and logistics for complete event coverage, while ITF augmented the production team with professionals who regularly follow the international tennis circuit. The mobile control room was managed through EMG's Nova 150 truck, equipped to handle live 4K UHD HDR broadcasts. On this occasion, it operated in HD, serving as the operational hub with a crew of 35 and 12 main cameras, along with one specifically for press conferences. 

Among the notable innovations for this year, camera 8 was mounted on a gimbal and connected via RF, capturing dynamic shots of player introductions and the lively Davis Cup audience. Cameras 10 and 11, two PTZ cameras, were positioned behind the players for replays and shots of their support teams, while two more cameras were dedicated to SuperMotion footage.

The production covered about nine hours of live broadcast daily, airing three matches (two singles and one doubles), alongside courtside interviews and final press conferences. Graphics and the Hawk-Eye system were provided by external partners and integrated into the central production.

A smooth workflow 

Maurizio Nacher, COO of EMG Italy, stated:  "The challenge, as always in major travelling events, was maintaining a very high and uniform standard, comparable to other venues simultaneously hosting Davis Cup matches. Our international sister company, Gravity Media, specializes in tennis, and as EMG Italy, we are proud to support tennis events in Italy and internationally."

Given the Davis Cup's global scope, the visual and narrative quality of each match in every city needed to remain consistent. To this end, preparations began months in advance, with teams at the Unipol Arena working from 4 September to set up the technical infrastructure and fine-tune every detail before the first match. From lighting to audio, graphics, and slow-motion replays, everything was designed to provide viewers with an immersive and memorable experience.

Bologna, a tennis hub

Bologna became a central location as one of four cities (alongside Valencia, Zhuahi, and Manchester) where 16 teams competed for the world team championship title. The Davis Cup returned to Bologna in 2022 after more than 40 years, and the city has once again welcomed athletes, journalists, and fans from all over the world. The Davis Cup goes beyond sports results; it creates connections, fosters bonds, and leaves lasting memories for everyone involved.

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