Mexico City’s new SportsCenter studios launch with an assist from Toni Collins
The debut of the new SportsCenter production airs at 11:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Deportes and ESPN in Mexico. Carolina Padron, Ciro Procuna and Jorge Eduardo Sanchez will anchor the show alongside special guests who are to be announced on social media via #SCTeSorprendera.
Developed with the identical technology and look-and-feel of other SportsCenter editions, the studio is designed to enhance the presentation of content, increase engagement and provide a better stage for on-air journalists to showcase their knowledge and personality. Several shows serving these markets will follow SportsCenter into its new home and debut their newly enhanced sets and look. VIDEO: Learn more about International SportsCenters.
Tonight, following the Monday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, ESPN debuts its new four-studio production facility in Mexico City with the first transmission of SportsCenter on ESPN Deportes and ESPN in Mexico.
To help inaugurate the launch, the English-language U.S. SportsCenter has featured live coverage throughout the day from the Mexico City studios with Antonietta “Toni” Collins, ESPN’s digital commentator and host of One Nación, and Mexico-based commentators Sergio Dipp and Ciro Procuna. EDITOR’S NOTE: See a clip the trio’s work together this morning in the video below.
Other editorial integrations will include a segment on Monday Night Countdown focused on the Cowboys and their popularity in Mexico, and shots of the Mexico SportsCenter “in action” live on the USA SportsCenter after MNF.
Front Row had the chance to speak with Collins about the crossover collaboration with the two SportsCenter shows and her experience contributing to the celebration.
How has been your experience been providing the live SportsCenter hits from the new studios today?
It’s been so great. The excitement and emotions from the staff at ESPN Mexico and ESPN Deportes is electric. What was once a dream for them is a reality. It’s great to see people from Bristol down here, too, helping with the new transition and being part of this launch.
It shows how – no matter the country and language – we work together with the same goal. . .To provide the best possible content for our sports fans.
How did the idea to have you reporting from Mexico came about?
[Senior Vice President, SportsCenter and News] Rob King and [Vice President, Production, ESPN International and Deportes] Rodolfo Martinez were discussing ways the Mexico City studio opening could be celebrated more broadly…Specifically, how we in the U.S. could collaborate in this significant event. Rob and Rodolfo thought this was a great way to do it and I was thrilled to get the assignment.
What excites you the most about reporting from Mexico, for the U.S. English-language SportsCenter audience?
Being a bilingual bridge and sharing cultures. Giving insight to our American audience of our audience in Mexico and how ESPN is represented in Latin America. Showing the similarities and ultimately it’s all about people with some of the same stories. We may come from different cultures and speak a different language but at the end of the day it is sports, the passion for our favorite sport, team, players unite us, we are one.
