NBC Sports' Innovative Player Tracking System Enhances Viewer Experience

NBC Sports has embarked on a groundbreaking journey by adopting an innovative AI-driven player tracking system. This cutting-edge technology empowers viewers using mobile devices to delve into the action, zooming in on their preferred athletes with ease.

Pioneered by Japan's Nippon Television Network, this is the premiere instance of the viztrick AiDi technology being deployed by a non-Japanese broadcaster. According to a report from Nikkei Asia, NBC Sports is gearing up to integrate this system into its live broadcasts within the year.

Advanced AI Technology in Sports Broadcasting

At the core of the viztrick AiDi system is its sophisticated facial recognition capability which seamlessly captures and follows player movements on the field. It boasts a user-friendly interface, allowing operators to effortlessly track specific athletes with a tap on their screens. While Nippon TV employs this technology for displaying player names and statistics, NBC Sports has plans to leverage it to offer tailored content for mobile users.

Mobile-Focused Viewership Experience

Sports enthusiasts can opt between watching a standard horizontal broadcast of events via the NBC Sports app or choose to concentrate on top athletes using a unique feature of the viztrick AiDi technology. This feature skillfully extracts live footage of athletes, reformatting them into a mobile-friendly vertical orientation, enhancing viewing on-the-go.

Currently, it remains under wraps as to which specific events or broadcasts will incorporate this feature in the near term. However, NBC Sports has its eyes set on incorporating these enhancements for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano and Cortina.