Durham, N.C., Jan. 10, 2018 –SMT (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.”
About SMT
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. For more information, visit smt.com.
About SkyCam
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