
ESPN, DMED Break New AR Ground With Real-Time Data Visualization on Monday Night Football New real-time AR telestrator tool takes data-driven storytelling to a new level By Jason Dachman, Chief Editor
Monday, October 3, 2022 - 3:10 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
From the Emmy Award-winning K-Zone 3D to the 3D spray charts that revolutionized how fans watch the Home Run Derby, ESPN and Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) have stretched the barriers of what's possible in terms of visualizing data in a live baseball broadcast. Last week, for the first time, ESPN and DMED brought this data-fueled augmented-reality technology to the gridiron on Monday Night Football.
After roughly two years of development, last Monday's Cowboys-Giants MNF game featured the launch of what could be described as a real-time, data-driven AR telestrator. It appeared for the first time on-air to showcase the precise speed of Giants running back Saquon Barkley on a breakaway 36-yard touchdown run. Just after Barkley scored, viewers saw a replay of the run with an AR pointer graphic showing his running path and his exact speed at any given second as he scampered away from Cowboys defenders toward the end zone.
DMED's real-time AR data-visualization tool debuted during the Monday Night Football broadcast Sept. 26.
We view this as a really important milestone from a technical standpoint because it is live data-driven spatial AR, says Kaki Navarre, VP, software engineering, DMED. That's a much bigger deal than any one graphic. It's technologically meaningful, and we are just scratching the surface of how this could be used to enrich the viewing experience for fans. From a technology standpoint, we have the capability to do things that have never been done before, and we couldn't be more excited.
How It Works: A Symphony of Next-Gen Tech in Action The system uses proprietary DMED software and tools to sync live player and game data from the NFL's Next Gen Stats (NGS) platform with SMT camera telemetry and live video to provide a real-time, player-specific statistical visualization. As of now, these AR replays are available on both the Skycam and All-22 angle, but other cameras could be added in the future.
Deploying Epic Games' Unreal Engine and Pixotope's AR-creation technology, the DMED team can create real-time graphics that visually showcase live data. Most notably, these segments are available to the MNF production team in two seconds or less, enabling them to be used in the broadcast as first replays.
Early in development, the technology functioned as a CG application before DMED transitioned it to a full AR ecosystem. At the end of the 2021-22 NFL season, the DMED team completed onsite tests of the technology for director Jimmy Platt and producer Phil Dean, who were instantly enthusiastic about what it could mean for this season's MNF broadcasts.
They took a look at it and got very excited, says Principal Real-Time Artist Brian Rooney, who helped to lead the project. This year, we have been invited to be on the truck full-time to roll this out and scale it up as the season goes on. This Saquon play was our first execution, and we plan to see a lot more moving forward.
Rooney and Principal Software Engineer Jeffrey Bradshaw will be the operators in the truck tonight, using a touchscreen interface on the MNF production. Prior to each play, the operators click on the players of interest - quarterback, running back, receiver - and the system creates automated AR highlights based on the player's position and Next Gen Stats data. Stats cover anything from the speed of a player on a TD run to the separation between a receiver and defensive back on a key catch to how quickly defenders rush the passer on a sack.
For every single highlight that we create, says Rooney, the goal is to have the viewer understand something that they couldn't see otherwise in 3-5 seconds. No lower-third graphic or explanation necessary; they understand what's happening right away.
Storytelling: Changing Data Visualization for Both Live and On-Demand Experience ESPN and DMED believe this technology unlocks previously impossible storytelling opportunities through real-time statistical graphics visually showcasing live data on the field.
DMED is able to track all the players and balls during a game using this interface.
There are two main ways this helps enhance storytelling, says Navarre. One is that it allows folks who may not as easily grasp advanced statistics to understand the details [because they] can see [the data] in real spatial dimensions. The other is obviously advanced stats for hardcore fans, who already understand those concepts; we can now take them a level deeper.
ESPN sees this as not only a new opportunity to enhance how fans see statistical data in the live linear game broadcast but also on its sprawling portfolio of studio shows and digital platforms.
Everything is being architected for both live and on-demand from the ground up, says Christiaan Cokas, director, software engineering, DMED. The team has done a great job getting the data embedded into the video so it can be easily scrubbed back and forth. Our team is working on a platform to let you go into that game, mark up a video, and output that for highlights.
In addition to being part of a live game [broadcast], he continues, our system can let editors and producers of other shows go into the Monday Night Football game and grab a play, mark that up, and use that as well in their packages.
Cokas adds that this technology also opens up a whole new universe of possibilities for more personalized and interactive experiences for fans.
When you have an [operator] with a touchscreen in their hands and they can just click on a player and get a uniq
North America Stories
04/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...
04/07/2025
Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...
04/07/2025
Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...
04/07/2025
Create Any Planet in After Effects
Graham Quince July 4, 2025
0 Comments
The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...
04/07/2025
Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion
Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...
04/07/2025
Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...
04/07/2025
WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...
04/07/2025
Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...
04/07/2025
CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive
Brie Clayton July 3, 2025
0 Comments
Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...
03/07/2025
To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...
03/07/2025
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....
03/07/2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...
03/07/2025
As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...
03/07/2025
Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...
03/07/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....
03/07/2025
WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...
03/07/2025
PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....
03/07/2025
Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...
03/07/2025
For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...
03/07/2025
Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...
03/07/2025
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...
03/07/2025
Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...
03/07/2025
Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...
03/07/2025
nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...
03/07/2025
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...
03/07/2025
Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...
03/07/2025
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...
03/07/2025
Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...
03/07/2025
Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...
03/07/2025
Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...
03/07/2025
Back to All News
Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...
03/07/2025
In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...
03/07/2025
The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...
02/07/2025
Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...
02/07/2025
(Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Patty Consolazio
This one's for any person who's ever felt put down, left out, marginaliz...
02/07/2025
NEW YORK Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, ending a long-running legal saga that could clear the way...
02/07/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of licenses for five TV stations from Sinclair to Rincon Broadcasting, which announce...
02/07/2025
As the media industry faces an uncertain business climate and rapidly changing consumer habits, TV Tech's most popular stories from the first six months of ...
02/07/2025
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. New data shows that U.S. homes now own an average of two smart TVs, with Samsung and LG dominating the market but Roku and FireTV continue to g...
02/07/2025
LOS ANGELES Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management have acquired FilmRise, an independent digital streaming content distributor, and merged it with Shout! ...
02/07/2025
WASHINGTON The Advanced Television Systems Committee named Luiz Fausto vice president of standards development, succeeding ATSC vice president Jerry Whitaker, w...
02/07/2025
Boston Conservatory and the Sphinx Organization Join Forces to Make Classical Ed...
02/07/2025
NEW AMSTERDAM CREATOR DAVID SCHULNER JOINS CREATIVE TEAM OF NEW FOX DRAMA SERIE...
02/07/2025
Progressive realism: Aurora on taking up the broadcast reins for World RX alongs...
02/07/2025
Great speed: New host broadcaster Aurora on getting the World RX 2025 season pro...
02/07/2025
Seat of its pants: Aurora boxes clever and looks ahead for the FIA as new host b...
02/07/2025
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: EBU, BBC Sport and Sunset Vine talk coverage plans, ...
02/07/2025
UEFA Women's Euro 2025: Women's Super League launches new content series...