-- CBS, FSN, Big Ten Network and VERSUS Among Broadcasters Taking Advantage of Exclusive Downstream Technology Developed by PVI --
-- Virtual First Down Line, Line of Scrimmage and Branded First Down Line to be Digitally Inserted From Master Broadcasting Centers --
PVI Virtual Media Services, the global pioneer and leader in creating and providing real-time virtual image entertainment technology for television, today announced it will employ its proprietary downstream technology to insert program enhancements in live football telecasts this season. Digital program enhancements by PVI will enhance fans’ football viewing experience by integrating the popular virtual first down line and line of scrimmage into telecasts in partnership with several broadcasters, including CBS, FSN, Big Ten Network, and VERSUS.
PVI will employ real-time digital insertions from each broadcaster’s Master Control Center. This exclusive ability to provide services downstream from a central broadcast location instead of being on site at each event will offer increased flexibility and convenience to broadcast partners, in addition to decreasing on-site impact at games. PVI is able to enhance multiple games simultaneously per partner. Games featuring first down line enhancements will come from the Big 12, Pac 10, ACC, and WAC conferences on FSN and VERSUS, while Big Ten and SEC games shown on CBS and Big Ten Network will showcase both the first down line and line of scrimmage enhancements. In addition, FSN will feature a branded first down line.
“Since its introduction in 1990 football fans across the nation have embraced the digital first down line and line of scrimmage,” said Doug Sellars, Executive Vice President, Executive Producer, FSN. “We are pleased to continue delivering these revolutionary game enhancements in partnership with PVI. By providing these features ‘downstream’ from our Master Control Center, PVI offers valuable flexibility to our broadcasting operations, and alleviates the pressures and costs that come with providing them on-site.”
In addition to the famous yellow first down line and the equally popular blue line of scrimmage, broadcasters have the option to virtually integrate other insertions into live telecasts, such as a “branded” first down line, featuring an animated logo or other image as a form of advertising revenue. FSN will feature a branded first down line for Overstock.com for the fourth consecutive year.
“We are proud to provide fans with the virtual first down line, line of scrimmage and other enhancements while simultaneously offering added value for our broadcast partners using our proprietary downstream technology,” said Sam McCleery, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, PVI Virtual Media Services. “PVI is dedicated to delivering innovative technologies and applications to our broadcast partners as well as virtual image entertainment technology that enhances and transforms the television viewing experience for sports fans and TV viewers worldwide.”
As the most experienced and only full-service designer, developer and operator of vision-based, virtual image technology in the market, PVI provides three main services: 1) virtual advertising and product insertion; 2) virtual sports and programming enhancements and 3) data collection and analysis using vision processing. The company is the leader of broadcast innovations that are now crucial programming components, including the virtual First Down Line in college and professional football and other virtual enhancements in soccer, golf, football and baseball. PVI has developed specific business-to-business and consumer television applications that enhance the consumer viewing experience on behalf of or in cooperation with an extensive network of partners, including ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, MLB, NFL, Telemundo, CBC, TSN and Global Media (GMA, ABC5, ESPNstar, Hakuhodo, Xin Xin Sports, MCG Moscow).
About PVI
PVI Virtual Media Services is the global pioneer and leader in creating and providing real-time, vision-based, virtual image entertainment technology that enhances and transforms the television viewing experience. PVI’s patented technology allows broadcast, cable and broadband networks to insert computer-generated images into live or pre-recorded video broadcasts of events, sports contests and other television programming. The only full-service designer, developer and operator of vision-based, virtual image technology in the market, PVI works in partnership with advertisers, programmers and operators, among others, to develop and implement technology and applications.