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

02/12/2025

Case Study: How Mid-Atlantic Sports Network Moved to All-IP Distribution in 60 Days

Case Study: How Mid-Atlantic Sports Network Moved to All-IP Distribution in 60 D...

02/12/2025

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Lee Corso, Coach, Commentator, Firebrand

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Lee Corso, Coach, Commentator, FirebrandBy Ken Kerschbaumer Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 7:00 am Print This Story | S...

02/12/2025

SVG All-Stars: Dan Nabors, Senior Director, Remote Engineering, TNT Sports

SVG All-Stars: Dan Nabors, Senior Director, Remote Engineering, TNT SportsThe veteran tech leader is helping guide Warner Bros. Discovery's at-home' re...

02/12/2025

National Lacrosse League Opens Season With New Cloud-Based Official Replay-Review System

National Lacrosse League Opens Season With New Cloud-Based Official Replay-Revie...

02/12/2025

Platinum White Paper: The Cinematic Look in Live Production - Bridging Aesthetics and Real-Time Broadcast Technology with Grass Valley

Platinum White Paper: The Cinematic Look in Live Production - Bridging Aesthetic...

02/12/2025

SVG India Announces Advisory Board; JioStar's Prashant Khanna Named Chairman

SVG India Announces Advisory Board; JioStar's Prashant Khanna Named ChairmanBy Ken Kerschbaumer Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 11:15 am Print This Story |...

02/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: New AI Production Tools Workshop' Features ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports NEXT, PGA Tour, PlayOn, and USGA

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: New AI Production Tools Workshop' Features ESPN, F...

02/12/2025

Release Rundown: What to Watch in December, From Atropia to Endless Cookie

Written and directed by Hailey Gates, Atropia won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival....

02/12/2025

Revolutionizing Defense: L3Harris' Advanced Counter-UAS Cutting-Edge Technologies Offer Scalable Solutions for NATO

The lightweight and highly portable CORVUS-RAVEN, recently demonstrated at the V...

02/12/2025

L3Harris Enhancing Marine Corps' Resilient, Multi-Orbit SATCOM Operations

The lightweight, rugged Panther 2 tri-band VSAT delivers high-speed data communications for Internet, VPN connectivity and video transmission over commercial an...

02/12/2025

Clear-Com's Gen-IC Virtual Intercom Delivers Fast, Flexible Communications for...

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

02/12/2025

Nielsen Global Impact Day 2025: Expanding our global impact

NGID volunteers in the United States NGID volunteers in Mexico NGID volunteers in India NGID volunteers in Spain NGID volunteers in Australia NGID voluntee...

02/12/2025

FCC Issues Reminder on Audio-Description Rule Deadlines

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has issued a reminder that stations in DMAs 111 through 120 must implement its audio descrip...

02/12/2025

Sony Unveils Alpha 7 V Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

SAN DIEGO Sony Electronics today introduced the Alpha 7 V (ILCE-7M5), the fifth generation of its Alpha 7 full-frame mirrorless lineup, powered by the newly dev...

02/12/2025

FCC Sets Comment Deadlines for Nexstar-Tegna Merger

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket for comments on Nexstar Media Group's proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna and se...

02/12/2025

Veronica Rodriguez, Matt Schnaars and Jeff Warshaw Join NAB Board

WASHINGTON The National Association of Broadcasters has added a trio of media executives, Veronica Rodriguez, Matt Schnaars and Jeff Warshaw, to its board of di...

02/12/2025

Brightcove Unveils New Features

MILAN, Italy Brightcove has released seven new features designed to expand global reach, improve audience engagement, enhance live-streaming quality and streaml...

02/12/2025

BCNEXXT and NPC Media Sign Partnership Agreement for Vipe...

BCNEXXT, the developers of the advanced playout platform Vipe, today announced a new Service Provider Partner agreement with NPC Media, the Australian managed p...

02/12/2025

DPA Microphones N Series Wireless Mic System Now Availabl...

DPA Microphones today announces the immediate availability of its new N-Series Digital Wireless Microphone System for customers throughout the U.S. In addition ...

02/12/2025

Hiltron Reports a Well Attended and Successful Space Tech...

Hiltron Communications reports a well attended and successful Space Tech Expo exhibition, held at the Messe Bremen from Tuesday November 18 through Thursday Nov...

02/12/2025

The HELM powers Riverfire with flawless timecode precisio...

The beginning of September saw Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust, in association with Channel 9 and Triple M, kick off the 2025 Brisbane Festival in spec...

02/12/2025

SGM Lighting and ACT Entertainment Announce Exclusive US...

SGM Lighting is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with ACT Entertainment, under which ACT will serve as the exclusive distributor for SGM's ne...

02/12/2025

Harmonic Powers Telias NextGeneration Broadband Upgrade i...

Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that Telia, the second largest telecom operator in Norway, is modernizing its broadband network with the company's i...

02/12/2025

Keepit and TIM AG enters distribution partnership for the...

European cloud data protection specialist Keepit is expanding its sales network in the DACH region and has gained TIM AG, one of the leading value-added distrib...

02/12/2025

Calrec pushes beyond traditional broadcasting with flexib...

Featured products at ISE 2026 This year s ISE 2026 theme "Push Beyond" reflects Calrec s direction of travel. The company is dedicated to supporting the AV an...

02/12/2025

Czech TV Implements Landmark LiveU OB Project in Central...

Czech Television, the national public broadcaster, has deployed one of the largest LiveU live production projects in the region for live sports and news coverag...

02/12/2025

Leader expands cinematic camera support for Live Producti...

Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics, has announced the release of v8.2 software for its ZEN and ZEN-W Series, bringing advanced cinematic camera se...

02/12/2025

Accedo and Magine Pro agree to merge SaaS businesses

Global provider of video streaming software and services, Accedo, and OTT platform provider, Magine Pro, have signed a binding agreement to carve out and merge ...

02/12/2025

Skandha Media Services New VP Sales Role Signals Bold Gro...

With proven success in broadcast, OTT, and content supply chains, K.S Avinash set to scale Skandha's service-first approach across APAC Skandha Media Servi...

02/12/2025

AJA Video Systems Joins RAVENNA Community

AJA Video Systems has joined the RAVENNA community, a network of partners devoted to advancing the RAVENNA standard for distributing real-time audio over intern...

02/12/2025

Report: ATSC 3.0 Would Boost Wireless Efficiency, Sustainability

HUNT VALLEY, Md. Sinclair and its wholly-owned subsidiary One Media Technologies have released a new report focused on how ATSC 3.0, the IP-based NextGen TV sta...

02/12/2025

FCC Issues a Reminder on Audio Description Rule Deadlines

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has issued a reminder that stations in DMAs 111 through 120 must implement its audio descrip...

02/12/2025

ATSC Members Elect 4 to Board of Directors

WASHINGTON Members of the Advanced Television Systems Committee have elected four industry veterans to three-year terms on the organization's board of direc...

02/12/2025

Survey: Younger Gen Z Consumers Spend 5.1 Hours a Day on Social Media

A new survey from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan highlights how important social media is for younger consumers, with Gen Z spending 5.1 hours a day on so...

02/12/2025

Faculty Notes: Fall/Winter 2025

Faculty Notes: Fall/Winter 2025 Recent accomplishments, releases, and events by Berklee faculty. December 1, 2025 By Editorial Staff The cast of Kind of M...

02/12/2025

Ring In The Holidays With Our Biggest Sale Ever On Ivory II Pianos!

Ring In The Holidays With Our Biggest Sale Ever On Ivory II Pianos!From now until December 31st, you can save 50% or more on every Ivory II piano and collection...

02/12/2025

Made in America: How Stranger Things' Electrified the US Economy

Back to All News Made in America: How Stranger Things' Electrified the US Economy Entertainment 02 December 2025 GlobalUnited States Link copied to cl...

02/12/2025

International organizations align at International AI Standards Summit

-- The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Telecommunication Unio...

02/12/2025

Harmonic Powers Telia's Next-Generation Broadband Upgrade in Norway

Harmonic's cOS Platform Will Redefine Subscribers' Quality of Experience, Lowering Churn SAN JOSE, Calif. - Dec. 2, 2025 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today...

02/12/2025

NVIDIA and AWS Expand Full-Stack Partnership, Providing the Secure, High-Performance Compute Platform Vital for Future Innovation

At AWS re:Invent, NVIDIA and Amazon Web Services expanded their strategic collab...

02/12/2025

All I want for Christmas is movies: RT unwraps hours of Festive films

S an Nollaig Hollywood blockbusters The Banshees of Inisherin, Barbie and Oppenheimer make their Irish TV debut Tune into the classics such as Love Actual...

02/12/2025

RT and Fs ireann/Screen Ireland unveil four new Storyland dramas for 2025

Showcasing fresh Irish storytelling and emerging talent Storyland 2025 signals a fantastic time for Irish drama RT and F s ireann/Screen Ireland are proud to...

01/12/2025

L3Harris and PentenAmio Formalise Agreement to Advance Key Management and Secure Communications Technology

L3Harris and PentenAmio formalise their teaming agreement at MilCIS 2025, streng...

01/12/2025

Artemis II: A Mission of Veterans, Firsts and Lunar Dreams

Artemis II is NASA's first crewed flight test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. The crew, from left: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Vic...

01/12/2025

Wooden Camera Releases Accessory Collection for Canon EOS C50

IRVINE, Calif. Wooden Camera has introduced its new Accessory Collection for the Canon EOS C50. The new lineup includes a low-profile, gimbal-ready cage, expand...

01/12/2025

FCC to Vote on LPTV Rules at December Public Meeting

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has released a tentative agenda for its Dec. 18 Open Commission Meeting that will include a vote on a report an...

01/12/2025

2026 Local TV Ad Forecasts Offer Growth and Uncertainties

In most years, a graph of annual local TV ad spending is about as predictable as an electrocardiogram of a reasonably healthy patient in a doctor's office. ...