INDIAN WELLS, Calif., March 12, 2017 – SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology), the leading provider of real-time
data integration, graphics presentation and video enhancement solutions for live sports and
entertainment events, is recharging the fan experience at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open with an array of invenue
enhancements, including its redesigned Superwall, now the largest video display in the world of
tennis.
In concert with the yearlong renovation of the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, SMT’s new Superwall,
embedded into the wall of Stadium One, is 33 percent wider than last year’s, an expansion from 60 to 80
feet. The display is capable of showing up to five live matches at once, and was instrumental during the
WTA and ATP Main Draw Ceremonies as it populated the bracket in real-time for attendees. The
Superwall is capable of ingesting feeds from multiple sources, including live television or chair umpire
official scoring information and match statistics, keeping fans informed and entertained throughout the
entire two-week experience from March 6-19.
SMT, now in its 32nd year of providing visionary technology to the world’s fifth-largest tournament, has
continued to elevate its services each year, and this year introduced the role of an SMT Site Director. The
Site Director works as an on-the-ground producer who recognizes key moments of the tournament, such
as potential upsets, trends of the draw, injuries and other storylines, and broadcasts “best-of” content on
the more than 80 SMT-provided video displays around the grounds.
Stadium One features SMT’s unique on-court video production, this year with a roving camera and
operator who captures player introductions, player reactions, exciting crowd shots including the “Kiss
Cam” and “Dance Cam,” and interviews and broadcasts to the on-court boards along with montages
created from replays. These “Moments Ago” montages have become fan favorites, curated especially for
the delight of fans in the stands during timeouts and sitdowns.
“For this year’s BNP Paribas Open, SMT has deployed a “must-have” service in its new roving camera
production for Stadium One fans,” said Steve Birdwell, the tournament’s chief operating officer. “With
videos from the roving camera paired with the “Moments Ago” montages, plus the new Site Director role
and upgraded Superwall, we can finally capture the true essence of the indescribable excitement of an
Indian Wells experience.”
For C.J. Bottitta, SMT Executive Director, Video Production Services, delivering the best fan experience at
Indian Wells Tennis Garden is his main priority: “As the Site Director, I’ve often gone out to watch our
coverage at Stadium Plaza from the fan perspective. I’ve talked with 100-plus fans to find out whether
they’d rather see stats or a scoreboards in certain windows, how they prefer to see schedules, finding
trends of viewership such as what time of day to post tomorrow’s schedule rather than today’s results.
“That feedback has very much enhanced what the role of Site Director has become and has been the
foundation of our production plan philosophy for the Stadium Plaza Superwall and the entire grounds of
this truly unique, industry-leading tournament.”
This year’s new services complement SMT’s array of regular offerings for the tournament, including video
display services with content production for courts and hospitality areas; information towers; scoring
services; data distribution; scheduling and draw services; and CC TV services with various channels such
as Match Information System, Court cast, interview room, and tournament information.
About SMT
SMT is the leading innovator in real-time data delivery and graphics solutions for the sports and
entertainment industries, providing clients with scoring, statistics, virtual insertion and messaging for
broadcasts and live events. SMT’s solutions have been used at the world’s most prestigious live events,
including the Super Bowl, NBC Sunday Night Football, ESPN Monday Night Football, major golf and tennis
events, the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA Tournament, ESPN X Games, NBA on TNT, NASCAR events, MLB
games and NHL games. SMT’s clients include major broadcasters as well as regional and specialty
networks, organizing bodies, event operators, sponsors and teams. For more information, visit smt.com.