Live shows from Dodger Stadium highlight refined production rhythm, postseason experience
As the Los Angeles Dodgers vie to become the first back-to-back World Series champion since 2000, Spectrum SportsNet LA is once again stepping up to the plate to deliver comprehensive and immersive coverage for fans across Southern California.
As the team’s regional-sports-network partner, Spectrum SportsNet LA’s studio production crew has been delivering pre/postgame coverage every night this MLB Postseason — onsite for home games, from its El Segundo studio for road games. Hopefully, they all managed to get some sleep after Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run in the 18th inning last night (actually, this morning) lifted the Dodgers to a 2–1 series lead heading into Tuesday night’s Game 4.
“Our talent thrives on being onsite at the stadium, surrounded by the energy of fans,” says Bonnie Wilson, senior director, studio production and remote operations, Spectrum SportsNet LA. “We’ve built a system that allows us to focus entirely on storytelling and live coverage without worrying about the technical hurdles.”
Centerfield Set, Fiber Workflow Anchor Stadium Operations
From its signature set in Dodger Stadium’s centerfield, SportsNet LA’s crew is producing live editions of Leadoff LA and Access SportsNet: Dodgers before and after every game. The operation mirrors the network’s regular-season workflow: two cameras transmit signals over dedicated fiber lines to SportsNet LA’s El Segundo control room, where the studio team builds content packages, graphics, and highlights for each broadcast.
Spectrum Sportsnet LA’s team — (from left) Nomar Garciaparra, Jerry Hairston Jr., and John Hartung — for pre/postgame coverage of Dodgers World Series games broadcasts live from a set beyond centerfield for home games and from the RSN’s headquarters for games in Toronto.
It’s a “small but mighty” onsite technical crew, Wilson says, supported by a seasoned studio staff that has worked together through multiple playoff runs. Consistency of personnel and setup enables the group to move seamlessly from the regular season into the intensity of the postseason.
“At this point, everyone knows their role and how to execute it,” Wilson explains. “That preparation and repetition make a huge difference when the lights are brightest.”
LiveU Adds Flexibility for Home and Road Coverage
Although the foundation of SportsNet LA’s setup is fiber-based, redundancy and flexibility are key. The team continues to deploy LiveU technology as a backup for its home coverage and as the primary workflow for road games. Each traveling setup comprises two cameras and one reporter unit, allowing the crew to capture live content from anywhere inside or outside the ballpark.
“One of the benefits of LiveU is that it allows us access to the clubhouse without relying on a wired camera,” Wilson notes. “It enhances our coverage and improves our workflow by letting us stay nimble in fast-moving situations.”
Collaboration With Dodgers and MLB
Given the elevated profile of the World Series, coordination among the Dodgers and Major League Baseball is essential. Wilson credits both the team and the league for their support in granting access and accommodating the network’s production footprint.
“The Dodgers organization has been incredibly supportive, starting with their PR staff facilitating access to coaches and player interviews,” she says. “MLB has also been fantastic, from approving our set location to responding quickly to logistical needs. They understand how much our coverage means to fans and make sure we can operate effectively.”
Crew Atmosphere: Experience Meets October Energy
Even though the team has covered five World Series appearances in nine years, the excitement hasn’t dulled. The atmosphere at Dodger Stadium during the postseason, Wilson says, is electric — and that energy flows directly into the coverage.
“The excitement of fans enhances our production; it’s palpable,” she says. “Our crew takes great pride in representing the Dodgers, and that sense of camaraderie fuels us through these long days and nights.”
Full Slate of Live Programming
Throughout the World Series, SportsNet LA continues to produce live shows from both Dodger Stadium and its El Segundo studio. Leadoff LA kicks off daily coverage, followed by Access SportsNet: Dodgers pregame and extended postgame shows that capture every key moment and reaction from the field, clubhouse, and fans.
With a deep bench of on-air talent — John Hartung, Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Kirsten Watson — and a production crew seasoned by years of high-stakes broadcasts, Spectrum SportsNet LA continues to deliver the storytelling, precision, and passion that Dodgers fans have come to expect.