Anthony James Partners (AJP) provided comprehensive technology design and consulting services for the modernization of Barclays Center’s broadcast production facility—the arena’s first major control room upgrade since opening in 2012. Completed ahead of the 2026–27 NBA season, the project supports the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, concerts, and the arena’s year-round schedule of sports and entertainment events.
AJP’s scope extended across the primary control room, Technical Operations Center (TOC), supporting equipment spaces, and production workflows. The design transitioned the arena from a traditional 1080i baseband system to a SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based production architecture, providing more flexible transport and management of video, audio, and ancillary data, with capacity for future expansion.
Maintaining Live Production Throughout Construction
A central challenge was replacing the production facility while maintaining uninterrupted live-event production. AJP developed a multiphase implementation strategy that allowed arena operations to continue throughout the reconstruction.
The initial phase established a new TOC and a temporary production control room capable of supporting ongoing events. Once production staff transitioned to the temporary environment, the original control room could be decommissioned, allowing demolition, infrastructure replacement, and reconstruction to proceed.
This approach required detailed coordination of signal transport, equipment deployment, technical infrastructure, commissioning, and operator workflows. By incorporating the temporary production environment and construction sequence into the technical design, AJP enabled Barclays Center to maintain its event schedule while its permanent production facility was rebuilt.
Comprehensive Production Systems Upgrade
The technology overhaul included new broadcast cameras and camera control infrastructure, production switching, IP routing and signal distribution, instant replay, graphics, intercom, and centralized KVM systems. The project also refreshed the arena’s LED content-management system and redesigned equipment racks, interconnections, and supporting technical spaces.
The new control room layout and centralized equipment access give production staff greater flexibility in workstation assignments and system operation. Together with the IP architecture, these improvements provide an adaptable platform for basketball, concerts, and other live-event formats while accommodating future equipment upgrades and changing production requirements.
Alpha Video served as lead systems integrator in partnership with Unity Systems Integration. Major technology manufacturers included Sony, Ross Video, Grass Valley, and Evertz.
The completed project combines broadcast engineering, facility planning, and phased implementation to deliver a fully modernized production environment while maintaining uninterrupted live-event production throughout construction.
