ESPN’s All-Access Paris 2025 Behind the Scenes of NBA’s Paris Showdown

This weekend, NBA fans across the globe are in for a special treat with ESPN’s All-Access Paris 2025, a one-of-a-kind event offering exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers as they make their historic visit to Paris. Fans will also get access to unique content from the highly anticipated game between the two teams on Saturday, January 25.

ESPN is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the coverage of this international event matches the network’s regular high production standards. The use of key technologies such as its signature Above the Rim cameras will provide fans with an immersive viewing experience, maintaining the same broadcast quality they’ve come to expect from ESPN’s U.S. NBA broadcasts.

Advanced Production Workflow

To ensure top-notch content delivery, ESPN is utilizing its advanced production workflow. The NBA World Feed is produced on-site in Paris through ESPN’s REMCO production model, where production hardware is stationed locally, while machine control is set up to transmit content back to ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. This allows ESPN to seamlessly manage the global broadcast while still keeping the flow of information and content consistent with its usual high standards.

Meanwhile, the ESPN feed will follow the REMI (Remote Integration Model) workflow. While the world feed is produced in Paris, ESPN’s control room in Bristol integrates and coordinates isolated feeds, ensuring that all graphics, branding, and replays are in line with the network’s signature style. This allows ESPN to broadcast the game with a polished, branded look while leveraging the world feed’s high-quality production.

Okuno, ESPN’s head of operations for the Paris games, explains: “We wanted to keep everything as close to our U.S. workflows as possible, ensuring that our crew was familiar with the process and that the connection between Paris and the U.S. was reliable.”

Collaboration with AMP Visual

To execute this international production seamlessly, ESPN is working closely with AMP Visual, its technical services provider. ESPN has brought in key crew members from the U.S., including its producer, director, and senior lead staff, to oversee the production and ensure that everything is up to the broadcaster’s high standards.

In total, 19 transmission paths are being established from the mobile unit to ensure smooth and robust delivery of all content. ESPN is also working with Tata Communications to manage file transfers between Paris, Bristol, and the NBA headquarters in Secaucus, New Jersey, for global broadcast distribution.

Technological Innovations for an Immersive Experience

As part of the All-Access Paris experience, ESPN is bringing a range of cutting-edge technologies to the French capital, including advanced camera systems and player microphones. The production will feature 14 camera feeds, with a special focus on the Above the Rim cameras provided by NEP. These robotic cameras, mounted above each basket, offer a unique point-of-view angle, allowing viewers to experience the game from above the court. The cameras will provide exceptional coverage of both ends of the court, offering a dynamic and gamified visual experience.

Additionally, ESPN will have super slow-motion cameras and other specialty equipment to provide high-quality replays and in-depth action shots. Despite limitations on some equipment due to the venue’s size, ESPN worked closely with the NBA to ensure that the world feed matched the high standards of ESPN’s usual broadcasts.

Player Microphones for an Enhanced Experience

In keeping with the All-Access approach, ESPN will also mic up players, coaches, and referees for a more immersive broadcast. Utilizing Q5X RF audio equipment, ESPN will capture on-court conversations to provide fans with unprecedented access to the game’s inner workings. However, due to censorship regulations, these microphones won’t be broadcast live; instead, ESPN will create edited packages to be shown during the broadcast.

Okuno added: “We’ve imported our specialized player microphones as part of our All-Access treatment, creating a controlled environment where our EVS-equipped AMP truck listens in on the audio and produces edited packages for playback.”

Collaboration with International Broadcasters

ESPN is working alongside three other broadcast rights holders for the event—BeIN Sport, Canal+, and ProSieben—who are on-site producing their own pre-game shows, post-game analysis, and commentary. This collaboration ensures that the event has full international coverage, while ESPN takes care of the domestic broadcast for the Saturday game.

Conclusion

With ESPN’s All-Access Paris 2025, NBA fans are in for a truly immersive and high-quality experience. Through innovative workflows, cutting-edge technologies, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, ESPN is bringing the magic of the NBA to Paris while maintaining its signature production values. Whether you’re tuning in from the U.S. or elsewhere, this weekend promises to offer fans an unforgettable glimpse into the world of NBA basketball.