David Loignon - Venue TV Producer, X-Games & Formula One

Sports In The Making

David Loignon is a seasoned television producer, having worked at TVG Network, the first interactive horse racing network in the U.S. He has also produced the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as in-venue television for fans at the X-Games and Formula One races.

1:50 - How he got started in sports broadcasting.

3:00 - Helping to launch TVG Network and whether he thought it would survive.

4:15 - How he helped blend TVG’s idea of wagering on horse racing and entertainment to attract new fans.

7:15 - How he was able to explain the complexities of horse racing to a new audience.

9:45 - How a producer has to balance presenting a sport to a new audience and how it can affect an existing audience.

10:40 - How Formula One has embraced change to bring in new fans.

12:20 - What his role was in the Churchill Downs simulcast productions department.

13:15 - What Big Red Kong Productions produces in addition to X-Games and Formula One.

14:15 - How he was able be the production company on the UCI Cyclocross World Championship, the first time it was ever hosted in the United States.

15:30 - How he navigated the UCI Cyclocross World Championships during heavy rains prior to the event.

17:40 - Getting the audio to different countries in a world feed event.

18:45 - Is there a difference covering a sport for a domestic sports audience vs. an international sports audience?

20:25 - How he prepares to cover an international sporting event if he’s never seen it or been a part of it.

21:40 - How producing in-venue events for the X-Games and Formula One differ than what you see on your tv at home.

23:35 - How they keep the fans energized when coordinating with ESPN during coverage of X-Games.

25:10 - What the biggest challenge in keeping the audience engaged at the venue?

26:30 - How the in-venue production works in conjunction with the network production.

30:05 - How sports tv broadcasts are like a dance.

31:20 - How he finds the right fit for his production crew and how the X-Games are like a family.

33:45 - How did you get to be the production provider for Formula One?

35:20 - Working with good people.

36:00 - How someone who can break into the sports broadcasting industry.

38:35 - Producing in the United States compared to internationally.

39:35 - With mobile technology, how does that affect how a viewer consumes an event?

41:20 - How Game Changer has impacted the fans’ experience at the sports venue.

42:40 - How production personnel should be seeking to keep the audience engaged.

43:55 - What the biggest challenge in his career has been working in tv sports.