(SportsMEDIA Technology), the leading innovator in real-time data delivery and graphics solutions for the sports broadcasts, and SkyCam, the company that specializes in cable suspended aerial camera systems, are continuing to deliver technological innovations to CBS Sports’ broadcasts of the AFC playoff games, including Saturday’s Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots contest, Sunday’s Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game and the AFC Championship on Jan. 21.
SMT will provide its Next Gen Tele system, an enhanced player-tracking telestrator that harnesses the power of NFL’s Next Gen Stats data and SMT’s proprietary play-marking system to instantly render four virtual player routes on SkyCam video that’s available to the producer and talent at the end of every play. This “first-replay series, every replay” availability makes SMT’s system a true breakthrough in which NFL’s Next Gen Stats data is able to drive meaningful content as an integral component of live NFL game production. The system debuted last year for the AFC divisional playoffs.
Using dual SkyCam WildCat aerial camera systems to enhance its broadcast, CBS Sports has made standard the “Madden-like” experience that gives football fans a more active and dynamic viewing experience behind the offense, revealing blocking schemes, defensive fronts and throwing windows and providing a deeper understanding of plays. Combined with
SMT’s virtual 1st & Ten line solution placed from SkyCam images, viewers are experiencing the new, modernized look of NFL games. SMT, through its offices in Durham and Fremont, has supported CBS NFL broadcasts since 1996.
“Used in conjunction with SMT’s virtual technology, fans have embraced the enhanced coverage made possible with dual SkyCam systems, a look that younger viewers have come to expect in their games,” said Stephen Wharton, CTO, SkyCam. “With SkyCam, fans get the benefit of a more complete view of the action and play development – we place them right into the action in real-time. Sideline cameras force fans to wait for replays to get a sense of what receivers and quarterback were seeing. With SkyCam, no other camera angle is as immersive or engaging.”
“SMT’s ability to place virtual graphics from SkyCam opens up a plethora of possibilities for broadcasts in terms of augmented reality applications with advertising content, player introductions on the field, or a whole host of possibilities,” said Gerard J. Hall, CEO, SMT. “The potential with our technology is limitless.”
SMT, a leading innovator and supplier of real-time data delivery and graphics solutions for the sports and entertainment industries, provides clients with cutting-edge storytelling tools to enhance their live sports and entertainment productions. SMT’s technology for scoring, statistics, virtual insertion and messaging for broadcasts and live events has been used to enhance the world’s most prestigious live events, including the Super Bowl, NBC Sunday Night Football, major golf and tennis events, the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA Tournament, the World Series, ESPN X Games, NBA on TNT, NASCAR events, and NHL games. SMT’s clients include major US and international broadcasters as well as regional and specialty networks, organizing bodies, event operators, sponsors and teams. The 31-time Emmy Award-winning company is headquartered in Durham, N.C., with divisions in Jacksonville, Fla., Fremont, Calif., and London, England.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, SkyCam is a leading designer, manufacturer and operator of mobile aerial camera systems. SkyCam plays a significant role in changing the way sporting events are broadcast in the world, appearing at marquee broadcast events, such as The NFL Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, NBA Finals, Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, NCAA College Football, 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup. SkyCam is a division of KSE Media Ventures, LLC