When Fan Engagement is Literally Everything
The Savannah Bananas Boost Fandom and Increase Revenue Streams with the LiveU EcoSystem and Remote Production Solution
The Challenge
Like any growing franchise, the Savannah Bananas wanted to expand their reach – create a demand to go to games, build a fan base, drive ticket sales, and sell merchandise. The owner and production crew knew that they needed to make their broadcast games available online to introduce viewers to the sport and entertainment elements to generate brand loyalty and fan following. Traditional live production methods were off the table due to cost and complexity — production trucks, full crews and satellite connections were beyond the budget.
The Solution
LiveU was brought in to bring a high-quality broadcast everywhere the team went, leveraging the company’s IP bonded cellular encoders for connectivity and a REMI production workflow to produce the multi-camera live streamed broadcast. “The LiveU solution gave us the ability to quickly set up our entire production, while still having the gear we use and the crew that normally runs the show from our home base in Savannah, Georgia,” said Reese. This solution allowed the Bananas to not have to worry about connectivity in any stadium or venue they attended, relying fully on the LiveU EcoSystem and LiveU’s patented cellular bonding technology.
Fan Engagement
With thousands of viewers tuning in every night, the production team continues to elevate each broadcast, gaining attention from broadcasters such as ESPN and NESN – who would normally send out a truck to cover the games, but instead can leverage the production created by the lean Savannah Bananas production crew. The engagement the Savannah Bananas receive from the live broadcasts and content across social media has boosted revenue streams, including ticket and merchandise sales.
Workflow at a Glance
The LU800 production-level field unit connects to multiple camera sources spread throughout the stadiums, including the broadcaster’s camera in the press box, high home, and center field. The LU300S lightweight encoders are then deployed to all the on-field cameras. These units transmit all of these live feeds back to the LiveU receivers located in the Bananas control room, where the show is switched live and distributed as part of the live broadcast on YouTube.
The entire LiveU EcoSystem has made it possible to produce the show in so many different ways. It’s made it simple to show up, know the show, produce it to the best that we can and move on to the next one.
Chad Reese, Coordinating Producer, Savannah Bananas