Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

2018 MLB Preview: Fox Sports RSNs Roll Out New Graphics Package, Statcast

01/04/2018

Other highlights include AR in Atlanta, new robotic cameras in St. Louis, and a new studio in Cincinnati.

The following is an excerpt of the original article by SVG.

With a wholly revamped graphics package and increased use of MLBAM's Statcast and Pitchcast systems, Fox Sports' regional networks are poised to offer fans a whole new look this baseball season. In addition, Fox is adding augmented reality in Atlanta, box robos behind home plate in St. Louis, a new studio in Cincinnati, and a new IP transmission network connecting all 22 of its RSNs. In total, Fox RSNs will produce more than 2,250 MLB games this season, and more of these telecasts than ever will be picked up by FS1 as national broadcasts.

I think last year was our best year ever in covering baseball, and we're looking to build on that this year, says Mike Connelly, SVP/executive producer, Fox Sports Networks. It's always been our goal to build these RSN broadcasts into something special, because we're in our home buildings 81 times a season. The philosophy is to create this great home-broadcast experience, and then our visitor shows can just feed off of that. We've gotten to the point now where you have these very big productions that truly look like a network show and feel right at home on FS1.

Fox Embraces Its Inner Vizrt With New Graphics PackageDuring the MLB Postseason and World Series last fall, Fox Sports debuted an MLB graphics package built natively for Vizrt graphics systems (which Fox migrated to prior to the 2017 season). This season, Fox is rolling out this Vizrt-centric look across all its RSNs.

It's a really slick new look, especially the new animations package, says Connelly. Last year, we switched over to Vizrt [graphics systems] in all of our trucks and studios, and this is the evolution of that [migration]. This graphics package was built specifically for Vizrt rather than being converted. You'll see a lot of movement now and video-generated graphics coming out of the Vizrt. That's going to be the biggest upgrade to the look of our broadcasts.

As Statcast Arrives for RSNs, It's All About PersonalizationAll Fox RSNs will also have access to MLBAM's Statcast player-tracking and analysis system this year, with at least one Statcast element integrated into every MLB broadcast. Although Statcast has become standard on all national MLB broadcasts, Connelly sees it as an even more valuable tool for RSNs, which cover a single team throughout the season.

[Statcast] has been around for quite a few years now, but we want to make sure that our [announcers] can explain it and customize it for their team, because the worst thing we could do is show a brilliant stat that has no real context to the team, he explains. We want our [RSNs] to build their data specifically to their team. [For example], the Yankees are going be a power-hitting team this year, so [YES Network] is going to focus on home runs and exit velocity off the bat. Another team may focus on spin rate for pitching. We really want them to build their data according to their team.

In addition, Fox is moving its Pitchcast virtual-strike-zone graphic over the plate this year, as it did for national postseason broadcasts last year.

Statcast and Pitchcast systems, along with an operator for each, will be located inside the home RSN's truck in most cities.

Technically, it's been a big undertaking, notes Connelly. Not just installing the equipment but finding room for two more operators inside a truck is never easy.

Fox Sports South, Southeast Hop Aboard the AR Bandwagon

Fox Sports South/Southeast will be the first Fox Sports RSN to use AR on its MLB coverage.

This year, Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast will become the first Fox RSNs to deploy augmented reality for MLB coverage, having integrated the technology into their studio in December. The technology will be used within the network's studio and primarily as part of pre/postgame coverage to provide a dynamic look at statistical graphics and game information.

[AR] will primarily serve as a new way of presenting graphic information, says Randy Stephens, executive producer, Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast. AR is large and impactful, which creates a wow factor but also adds a degree of emphasis to statistical storylines. As we become more advanced with our use of AR, we will be able to create environments that our studio talent can interact with to both enhance demonstrations and provide new forms of sponsorship integration.

The AR graphics are created through the Vizrt graphics system, which is integrated with a Mo-Sys Star Tracker camera-tracking system. The workflow requires a combined effort of the main Fox Sports graphic-design team in Charlotte, NC, and Fox Sports South/Southeast operators in Atlanta. The designers create the elements, and the operators are responsible for positioning and sizing them.

Turnaround time depends on the complexity of the element, notes Stephens. For example, 3D images take longer than 2D images. Player-cutout graphics take some time to prepare, but, once they exist, they can be inserted into multiple elements instantly. In addition, text information can be updated like other on-screen graphics.

These AR elements will join Fox Sports South/Southeast's Vizrt touchscreen and new robotic-camera system at SunTrust Park to provide impactful information and analysis to the viewer, he adds.

Read the rest of the article from SVG.

Related articles

Vizrt brings immersive football analysis to the studio with the new Viz Libero AR

NBC Sports Group partners with Vizrt for 3D sports analysis

Fox Sports Preparing for Augmented Reality SkyCam with Vizrt

Related articles

Vizrt brings immersive football analysis to the studio with the new Viz Libero AR

NBC Sport
LINK: http://www.vizrt.com/news/newsgrid/54701/2018_MLB_Preview_Fox_Sports_R...
See more stories from vizrt

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

09/10/2026

Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026

September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026 New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...

07/10/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Media Operations from Ingest to Distribution

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...

29/09/2026

First Baptist Nashville Drastically Upgrades Production Communications with...

eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......

29/09/2026

Fubo TV Launches My Local Sports'

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

ARRI Targets Content Creators with New HONOR Smartphone

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

Asian News International Enhances Workflow with Grass Valley AMPP, FramelightX

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

SABC Chooses Ikegami UHK-X600 Cameras to Support IP Studio Transition

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

SABC Upgrades to IP-Based Production with Ikegami UHK-X60...

Ikegami announces that the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC, has chosen Ikegami UHK-X600 camera systems as part of an advance to IP-based operation ...

29/09/2026

Blendkit Offers 20% Discount to Celebrate Crossing 150K Asset Milestone

Blendkit Offers 20% Discount to Celebrate Crossing 150K Asset Milestone Brie Clayton September 29, 2026 0 Comments Blendkit, the largest 3D asset libr...

29/09/2026

Ease Live Reports over 75 Million Interactive Sessions Du...

Interactive streaming specialist Ease Live supported more than 76.5 million fan sessions across three major European media operators during this summers FIFA Wo...

29/09/2026

Ease Live to monetise key moments in live sports

Ease Live has added support for VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) to its graphical overlay technology, opening up new ways for broadcasters, streamers and rights...

29/09/2026

Rise AV launches awards celebrating the women advocates a...

Rise AV has announced the launch of the inaugural Rise AV Awards, a new global awards programme celebrating the women, advocates and organisations across the AV...

29/09/2026

Netflix Deploys Advanced Sony PTZ Cameras For Wonka's The Golden Ticket' Production

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

Massachusetts Broadcasters Association Names Gene Lavanchy 2026 Broadcaster of the Year

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

ESPN Reports Its Most-Watched WNBA Regular Season

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

Scripps Taps Digital News Veteran Sean McGarvy to Lead News Strategy

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

Gray Raises Political Ad Revenue Estimates

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

Edward Czarnecki Uses Game Theory to Assess ATSC 3.0 Transition Policies

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

29/09/2026

First Baptist Nashville Drastically Upgrades Production C...

Clear-Com announced that First Baptist Nashville has upgraded its production communications with a Clear-Com intercom solution as part of a comprehensive sanct...

29/09/2026

Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Captured Action Shots for Sketch

Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Captured Action Shots for Sketch Brie Clayton September 28, 2026 0 Comments Camera's portable design and dynamic range...

29/09/2026

Kean Production Services Deploys AJA ColorBox to Deliver Consistent, Accurate Color Across In-venue Displays at Live Events

Kean Production Services Deploys AJA ColorBox to Deliver Consistent, Accurate Co...

29/09/2026

Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards

Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for the 2026 Latin Grammy Awards A total of 28 Berklee alumni and faculty earned nominations across 20 categories this ye...

29/09/2026

Berklee's K-Pop & Beyond Explores Connections Between K-Pop and Hip-Hop

Berklee's K-Pop & Beyond Explores Connections Between K-Pop and Hip-Hop Now in its fifth year, the series brings together artists, industry leaders, and s...

29/09/2026

The energy transition will only succeed if it lasts

We tend to think we live in a digital world, with hopes and fears around artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data centres and the next big technolo...

29/09/2026

Apple releases new guide to help families build healthy digital habits - UPDATE - Posted on 29 September 2026

Today, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Apple relea...

29/09/2026

Final Cut Camera now supports variable aperture on iPhone\u00A018\u00A0Pro - UPDATE - Posted on 29 September 2026

Final Cut Camera, the professional filming app for iPhone, receives a major upda...

29/09/2026

RT lyric fm launch the hunt for Choirs for Christmas

RT lyric fm is proud to announce the annual Choirs for Christmas competition callout. Warm up those vocal chords and join us on RT lyric fm for a celebration ...

28/09/2026

NHL Names Adobe as an Official Creative, Marketing and AI Partner

The NHL has announced Adobe as an Official Creative, Marketing and AI Partner beginning with the 2026-27 season. The partnership will provide the league and its...

28/09/2026

MultiDyne to Showcase Expanded Portfolio Including MRMC Robotics at CABSAT 2026

MultiDyne will exhibit at CABSAT 2026 (October 5-7, Dubai Exhibition Centre), showcasing an expanded technology portfolio following its June 2026 acquisition of...

28/09/2026

ARRI and HONOR Launch Co-Branded HONOR Magic9 Pro Max

ARRI and HONOR have announced the HONOR Magic9 Pro Max, a flagship smartphone carrying ARRI branding on the device and packaging as the first product-level expr...

28/09/2026

Net Insight Adds Nimbra 1020G to Pan-Asian Live Media Trial Network

Net Insight has added the Nimbra 1020G to its pan-Asian live media trial network, giving customers and partners in the region a way to evaluate ST 2110 and JPEG...

28/09/2026

Vindral Named Recipient of 2026 Technology and Engineering Emmy Award

Vindral has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology and Engineering Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the category of We...

28/09/2026

Interra Systems to Demonstrate QC and Monitoring Portfolio at CABSAT 2026

Interra Systems will exhibit at CABSAT 2026 (Stand B2-37, Dubai Exhibition Centre, October 5-7), demonstrating its BATON QC platform, ORION monitoring solutions...

28/09/2026

PGA TOUR's Michael Raimondo on Agentic Production, ShotLink Automation, and the Evolution of PGA TOUR Studios

Two years into its new production facility, the TOUR is expanding centralized wo...

28/09/2026

Game Creek Videos Epic Building Run Continues With ESPNs Countdown Unit, Upgrades to Four Others

In addition to rolling out a new mobile unit for ESPN's Monday Night Countd...

28/09/2026

Bleacher Report and WWE Reach Multi-Year Global Content Partnership

Bleacher Report and WWE have announced a multi-year content partnership giving Bleacher Report global highlight rights across WWE's programming slate, inclu...

28/09/2026

Behind The Mic: NBC Sports Shares MLB Wild Card Series Announcing Booth; ESPN Reveals NHL 26-27 Season Talent

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...

28/09/2026

Fubo Adds Four NHL Regional Sports Networks for 2026-27 Season

FuboTV has announced a multi-year distribution agreement with the NHL to carry four regional sports networks covering the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jac...

28/09/2026

Program Productions Names Alan Ostfield President and CEO

Program Productions (PPI) has announced the appointment of Alan Ostfield as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 28, 2026. Ostfield succee...

28/09/2026

Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty! Encourages Us to Keep Dancing

Director Josef Kubota Wladyka attends the premiere of Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! with the film's cast and crew at Eccles Theatre on January 22, 2026, in P...

28/09/2026

Scaler Music introduce Scaler EQ Pro

EQ plug-in can now be played via MIDI Scaler Music have recently released a new and improved version of their patented musical EQ plug-in, kitting it out wi...

28/09/2026

The Asura from Animal Factory Amps

New synth developed in collaboration with philterSoup Boutique effects pedal and Eurorack manufacturer Animal Factory Amps have announced that the new compa...

28/09/2026

Rohde & Schwarz adds an integrated multi-channel pulse analysis option to its FSWX signal and spectrum analyzer

Rohde & Schwarz adds an integrated multi-channel pulse analysis option to its FS...

28/09/2026

SBE Announces 2026 Ennes Scholarship Recipients

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

28/09/2026

Spectrum to Demo AI Computing at the Network's Edge at SCTE TechExpo 26

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

28/09/2026

Autoscript launches new Voice Controller prompting soluti...

Autoscript, the leading global provider of professional teleprompting solutions, today announced Voice Controller for WinPlus-IP, a new voice-controlled prompti...

28/09/2026

IBC 2026 Technical Conference Highlights

IBC 2026 Technical Conference Highlights David Kirk September 28, 2026 0 Comments Hero image courtesy Deposit Photos David Kirk reports from the 11-1...

28/09/2026

First Baptist Nashville Taps Clear-Com for Production Coms

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...