CBS Sports has debuted a revamped Studio 43 for the 2024 NFL season, blending enhanced technology with an upgraded aesthetic. The studio, now known as the Sean McManus Studio, is CBS’s central hub for NFL coverage, including "The NFL Today," as well as college football and March Madness, located within the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.
“It’s a proud moment for us that someone who’s been so important to the CBS family for the last 27 years, — that we bestow this honor on him,” said Harold Bryant, executive producer and executive vice president, production, CBS Sports. “It’s well-deserved and well-earned.”
The redesign comes as “The NFL Today” undergoes talent changes, with Matt Ryan joining James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and JJ Watt. "We wanted to continue to advance our show and grow the show and look," explained Bryant. "We’ve had some talent changes…. We felt it was time to change up the studio as we get new additions.”
Bryant emphasized the desire to preserve the warm, inviting atmosphere of previous iterations, familiar to viewers on Sunday mornings and beyond, while incorporating modern elements. "We didn’t wanna be cold and clinical, concretes and glass — that’s not us," said JP LoMonaco, VP, on-air graphics and design, CBS Sports.
"Our motivation was to take our space, maximize our space, and then create more flexibility for the movement of talent and movement of cameras within the space," stated Bob Matina, director, "The NFL Today." The redesign focuses on creating a contemporary space that reflects CBS Sports’ identity while maximizing efficiency and versatility. The studio’s new design features clean lines and a more open layout, moving away from the previous “man cave” aesthetic.
The main desk is now positioned at an angle in a corner, opening up more wall space for additional screens and talent positions. A recurring design motif features linear slats framing various elements of the set, creating a more contemporary look with large-scale backlit graphics.
The redesigned studio includes several upgrades to enhance production capabilities and visual presentation. 1.8mm pixel pitch Planar LED screens have been installed throughout the studio, including a large vertical screen behind the anchor area. The desk itself incorporates a flexible, curved 1.9mm Planar display. Ross Video XPression Tessera drives these screens pixel-for-pixel, minimizing scaling issues. Three existing tracking LED screens remain but have been updated with new scenery elements.
The studio lighting grid has been upgraded and replaced with remotely controlled LED lighting instruments using the ETC Eos Apex system, improving energy efficiency and offering greater flexibility for lighting changes. A key feature of the new studio is its adaptability. The desk can be repositioned, and various elements can be reconfigured to create different looks for different shows. The studio’s versatility extends beyond sports programming. Removing the desk entirely allows the space to function as an open sound stage for various productions.
CBS Sports collaborated with Drive Studio on the redesign, with Showman Fabricators providing fabrication. The lighting design was handled in-house.