10 NEWS & VIEWS
April 2018
Rights holders go digital to boost growth
With viewership for sports competitions plateauing and early signs TV rights have hit a ceiling , rights holders are investing in their online content to provide additional forms of revenue and ensure TV audiences remain high . A strong online presence cannot be underestimated ; it has been proven to penetrate new markets , generate revenue from digital advertising and acts as a key marketing tool — driving fans towards the linear coverage .
Social media metrics and website traffic are vital to the long-term success of every sports organisation . As always , content is king , but how the content is accessed , published and enhanced with graphics , will determine the success of the online platforms .
While many sports organisations slowly come to terms with changing consumer habits , the National Basket ball Association ( NBA ) has grown exponentially over the past five years and trails only soccer in terms of international popularity . For the 2016-17 season , the NBA hit US $ 7.3 billion in revenue , up 21 % from $ 5.8 billion in the 2015-16 season .
At the heart of the NBA ’ s expansion is a shrewd social media strategy . During the season they publish 15-plus clips per day across all platforms , including match highlights , exclusive ‘ behind the scenes footage ’, archive and analysis clips with graphics . Undoubtedly , the NBA has been the most progressive federation for access to players , but it is the analysis clips ( see picture ), using Vizrt ’ s image-based software — Viz Libero — that drives fan engagement .
Steve Hellmuth , EVP , operations & technology , NBA , said : “ We already do business with Vizrt ; we use Viz Libero to provide a layer of graphics . Any time people see a video that includes graphics , analytics … that ’ s what attracts them . That ’ s what takes it from 200,000 views to two million .”
3D graphics are used to highlight key moments , deconstruct facets of play or provide a better understanding of a team ’ s strategy . Player and team statistics are inserted into dynamically moving graphics , substantiating and enriching the analysis clips . Furthermore , the 3D flights between broadcast cameras provide an unparalleled
Ross Munro ,
Business Development Manager APAC – Sports , Vizrt
‘ wow affect ’.
Hellmuth continued : “ We ’ re in the business of compressing information using a lot of tools , so that people can get more in less time — which is really what it ’ s all about . You don ’ t just want to look at a naked video clip ; you want some graphics and analysis .”
The results are staggering : t hey have over 1.4 billion likes and followers on social media , an additional 172 million fans within the past year and the social media views during the 2017 NBA finals were up by 44 %. Most of their social media followers are male and aged between 15 and 25 , a key demographic for any sponsor ( think digital advertising ) and most importantly , NBA Pass ( an over-the-top platform ) or ESPN subscribers of tomorrow .
Many sports organisations are now adopting the same approach and investing in digital content teams . But they are discovering conventional broadcast tools such as linear editing software are not designed for the high-volume , short-form , ‘ on-thego ’ content that social media demands . Viz Story , an easy-to-use Web interface , can create compelling video stories with full real-time , state-of-the-art 3D graphics .
It strips away the complexity of linear editing and allows the user to publish directly to various social media platforms . It is designed to be operated by a journalist or social media producer , without any compromise to high-end ‘ broadcast quality ’ graphics , key for sports properties , who spend millions on their branding . q
To find out more about Vizrt ’ s solutions , visit http :// go . vizrt . com / APB
The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) is using the Viz Libero image-based software to drive fan engagement .
2018 NAB Show powers what the industry creates and how the world consumes
LAS VEGAS – For media , entertainment and technology professionals looking for new and innovative ways to create , manage , deliver and monetise content on any platform , the 2018 NAB Show is the place to be .
Taking place from April 7-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Las Vegas , Nevada , USA , this year ’ s show is featuring more than 1,700 exhibitors , who are unveiling and discussing the latest solutions and developments in technologies such as IP , 4K / Ultra HD , high dynamic range ( HDR ) artificial intelligence ( AI ) and machine learning , augmented reality ( AR ), virtual reality ( VR ), 5G and more .
Shotoku USA marks first anniversary with ‘ smart ’ robotic solutions
Commemorating its first year anniversary , Shotoku USA , Shotoku Broadcast Systems ’ North American operation , is exhibiting an enhanced version of its External Control Automation Interface ( ECI ).
The upgraded interface incorporates new features that add a layer of intuitiveness and functionality for Shotoku ’ s TR-XT robotic camera control system . Building on the TR- XT ’ s advanced features , including pre-set shot recall functionality , the unit is capable of supporting full joystick trim control to adjusting and restoring the pre-sets as necessary — from the automation system or switcher .
This additional external control , according to Shotoku , also allows shots to be trimmed on-air without the need for a dedicated camera operator via the automation system . The enhanced ECI provides an interface for facility management and control systems ( FMCS ), enabling the TR-XT to be reconfigured remotely as well .
Shotoku USA is also displaying the Smart- Ped robotic pedestal , which is designed to
Beyond its end-to-end QC and monitoring solutions , Interra Systems is expanding its role in the software-based digital media solutions space through innovations in artificial intelligence ( AI ) and machine-learning techniques .
For instance , the latest version of Interra Systems ’ Baton filed-based QC solution leverages AI and machine learning-based advanced algorithms , and includes support for the VAST protocol , hybrid QC workflows , as well as enhanced support for high dynamic range ( HDR ) content and audio detection capabilities . With Baton ’ s new auto-scaling feature , users are able to adjust their Baton system to manage peaks in QC content accordingly .
Also demonstrated is Orion-OTT , a software-based over-the-top ( OTT ) solution for monitoring of adaptive bitrate ( ABR ) content . The enhanced version of Orion-OTT features
Shotoku ’ s External Control Automation Interface ( ECI ) is equipped with new features , adding a layer of intuitiveness and functionality for its TR-XT robotic camera control system .
address the creative and commercial demands of on-air live TV environments . The three-wheel robotic XY pedestal features a new height column that does not require pneumatic balancing , and is also equipped with multi-zone collision avoidance and detection systems . In addition , SmartPed offers switchover between local and remote operation , making the pedestal “ versatile and easily operated ” in any application .
Completing Shotoku ’ s showcase at booth C9015 is the SmartTrack rail camera system , which supports floor or ceiling operation , as well as a range of height column configurations , in both upright and inverted modes .
Interra Systems adds AI into QC monitoring
an edge performance monitor ( EPM ), which integrates with third-party device monitors to collect quality of experience ( QoE ) parameters for proactive management of issues .
Orion-OTT also includes a new origin performance monitor for active and passive monitoring of origin servers , with the capability to monitor average response time and bandwidth served , server availability , and HTTP response codecs .
Interra Systems is also showcasing the Orion content monitoring and video analysis system . Designed for IP-based delivery infrastructures , Orion is equipped with features such as extended checks for live monitoring , support for VANC closed captions ( SMPTE ST 2038 ), and the capability to view and monitor VANC EIA-608 and VANC EIA-708 CC data .
Visit Interra Systems at booth SU7605 to find out more .