In early June, ESPN's morning show, "Get Up," made a significant move from its Seaport location to 7 Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan. This relocation marks a transition to a studio specifically designed to enhance the show's conversational format and celebrate its New York City identity. The show now broadcasts from Studio X, located on the lower level of the Robert A. Iger Building. Internally, to avoid confusion with Bristol studios, it's known as Studio 1.
The approximately 2,100 square-foot space is a notable improvement over the previous Seaport location, eliminating structural columns that previously obstructed sightlines. Designer Michael Kramer of MPK Scenic was instrumental in shaping the studio's aesthetic, aiming for a casual feel reflecting host Mike Greenberg's approach. "It’s all about Greeny and his friends hanging out, talking sports," explained Joe Ferretti, director of studio design and development at ESPN. "We wanted to carry that iconic New York feel to the space."
Inspiration for the design came from classic television settings, drawing parallels to Central Perk from "Friends" or the diner in "Seinfeld." "We wanted that kind of feel for ‘Get Up,’ for Greeny and his show,” Ferretti added. The new studio boasts distinct New York elements, including subway tile and a prominent ESPN mosaic. A key feature is an "atrium" area, connecting the hosts with their surroundings through a uniquely curved desk and an inlaid LED screen. A custom table showcasing a Lower Manhattan river table design adds a unique and modern touch.
"Kramer made a great design for this table," Ferretti commented, highlighting the custom work needed to capture the New York essence. This table will be used for the regular "Big Man, Tiny Helmets" segment. Other dedicated areas accommodate segments such as "Sneaky Hembo." Multiple LED floor areas offer flexibility for graphics and virtual elements, while large LED wall displays enhance the show's visual storytelling. A mobile screen on a wagon adds versatility. An integrated touchscreen area allows hosts to interact with graphics using direct touch or an iPad.
Augmented reality capabilities, mirroring ESPN's Bristol "SportsCenter" studio, are incorporated using Disguise servers, Unreal Engine, ESPN's Grace control system, and camera tracking from Stype and Telemetrics. The 7 Hudson Square operation retains ESPN's remote production approach, with on-site technical coordination but primary control remaining in Bristol. This differs from the Seaport setup by using ABC resources for tasks like video shading. This setup lets ESPN utilize existing infrastructure while maintaining operational consistency. The show's visuals have evolved, shifting from Seaport-themed graphics to elements better representing Lower Manhattan. "They changed some of the monitor graphics to better represent the location," Ferretti stated, emphasizing the new Lower Manhattan feel.
The project involved various vendors, including Mystic Custom Fabrication, Fuse Technical Group, and Eastern Lighting Design. While designed for "Get Up," the studio's LED technology allows for flexibility with other ESPN productions, especially during major New York events. After six years at the Seaport, "Get Up" joins other Walt Disney Company productions at 7 Hudson Square, including "Live with Kelly and Mark," "The View," "Good Morning America," and "World News Tonight." This move consolidates ESPN's New York operations at the facility, operational since fall 2024.