67th Lifetime Achievement
New York, NY – October 14, 2015 — The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced that Charles “Chuck” Pagano, former Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of ESPN will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 67th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy® Awards that will take place on Friday, January 8th, 2016. The reception and presentation will take place in The Grand Ballroom at The Bellagio in Las Vegas beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“Chuck Pagano has guided ESPN to become not only the leader in Sports television technology, but a leader and innovator in television technology across the industry,” said Bob Mauro, President, NATAS.
“The National Academy is pleased to honor technology innovator Charles ‘Chuck’ Pagano for his leadership in ESPN’s conversion to high definition, his key role in the development of the Virtual Playback Application for ESPN and for his continual embrace of new technologies to improve ESPN’s fan experience,” said Robert P Seidel, Chairman, National Engineering Achievement Committee.
“The National Academy congratulates Charles ‘Chuck’ Pagano on his Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Seth Haberman, Co-Chair, NATAS Engineering Achievement Committee. “Under Chuck’s leadership, ESPN has consistently been a leader in the development and implementation of new technologies including 1080P studio production.”
Charles Pagano
Charles “Chuck” Pagano, joined ESPN prior to its debut on September 7, 1979 as a technical director.
Under Pagano’s leadership, ESPN has advanced television technology throughout the industry including bringing virtual enhancements such as EA Virtual Playbook to studio and remote TV telecasts and expanding its technological footprint around the globe.
Pagano was the key driver in the creation of ESPN’s Bristol-based Digital Center, one of the most technically sophisticated television production facilities in the world. His team put together the network’s high definition services, ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, with the Digital Center opening on June 7, 2004. Outfitted as an all-encompassing digital resource, the building contains over seven million feet of cable and four HDTV studios totaling 20,000 square feet (9,000, 5,000, 3,000 and 3,000) that are home to all ESPN Bristol-based studio shows.
In August 1, 2011, ESPN announced Pagano as ESPN’s first chief technology officer and said it would build a second digital center on the main campus in Bristol, Conn, again using Pagano’s team. This facility added to the advanced technical production facilities already in place at the main campus as well as the Los Angeles Production Center, which his team opened in 2009. The LAPC signaled ESPN’s push to the West Coast and is the world’s first 1080p HD facility.
Pagano’s culminating effort was the delivery in June 2014 of ESPN’s Digital Center 2 facility. In this 194,000-square foot building, the sports media company has a total of five studios, one of which is now officially the new home of SportsCenter. This new building is prepared, via a combined and unique baseband/IP routing implementation, to handle the next wave of technology, whether that be producing content in HD, 4K or even 8K, plus doing things like adapting shows to be interactive with internet/mobile and social media.
Previously, Pagano had served as senior vice president, engineering and technology from 1995 to 1999 and his duties included spearheading ESPN’s technology-related strategic planning. Prior to that he served as vice president, engineering project development (1994-95), director, operations and engineering project development (1992-94) and manager, engineering project development (1989-92). He served as a systems engineer from 1983-89.
A native of Waterbury, Conn., Pagano received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1984 and a Master of Science degree in organizational psychology in 2007, both from the University of Hartford.
Pagano currently serves as President of the Tunxis Foundation Board for the Tunxis Community College in Farmington, Connecticut, he is also the current President for Holy Land in Waterbury, Connecticut (mission is to preserve a historic city landmark that the non-profit is named for), serves on the Board of Advisers for the College of Engineering at the University of Hartford, serves as a board member for the Connecticut Public Affairs Network (a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening civic engagement in Connecticut) , and was previously the Chairman of the Connecticut Technology Council.
Pagano has received many honors for his visionary and creative approach to both technology and his approach to management including SMPTE’s David Sarnoff Medal, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the development of new techniques or equipment that have contributed to the improvement of the engineering phases of television technology, including large-venue presentations.
In December 2013, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, and Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of over 14,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the country. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the website at TheEmmys.tv
The Emmy Awards on the Web: TheEmmys.tv
NATAS Press Contact:
Paul G. Pillitteri
SVP, Communications
ppillitteri@emmyonline.tv
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