NBC Sports Group Taps Viz Libero for 3D Sports Analysis

The Peacock will leverage the 3D virtual tool for Super Bowl, World Cup, and other coverage

Under a new multiyear deal, NBC Sports Group will deploy Vizrt’s Viz Libero 3D virtual sports-analysis tool across the NBC Sports and Telemundo Deportes portfolio as well as at multiple NBC Sports RSNs across the country. The NBC Sports outlets will use Viz Libero to build 3D highlights and virtual telestration packages within its live game and studio programming.

“NBC Sports has been working to incorporate Viz Libero’s 3D replays into our sports coverage,” says Matt Celli, head of production technology, NBC Sports. “We are able to provide our viewers more insights into the game by analyzing the key plays from every angle, thanks to Viz Libero’s 3D technology. We had a seamless transition to Viz Libero for all networks. A key element was to generate specific NBC designs of the Viz Libero elements for our biggest shows, including primetime’s No. 1 program, NBC Sunday Night Football.’

Viz Libero is tightly integrated with Viz Engine, Vizrt’s real-time 3D-compositing engine, to facilitate creation of telestration packages while giving the operator real-time preview and playout. The integration allows designers to create customized Vizrt modeling and animation tools with the Viz Artist 3D-design tool. Existing functionalities enable the user to define new customized effects. NBC Sports implemented, for example, its own T-Block variations for all kind of block situations in its different sports assets.

NBC Sports will use Viz Libero to break down key plays in coverage of the NFL, NHL, Premier League, NASCAR, and more. Viz Libero combines realistic 3D replays and virtual graphics to provide deeper, multi-angle analysis of key plays and moments within the game. The interactive telestration and annotation system combines the full flexibility of Viz Libero’s 3D scenes with an interactive user interface for the talent.

In addition to its regular sports telecasts, NBC Sports will deploy Viz Libero for Super Bowl LII next month and Telemundo’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup next summer.

“NBC Sports Group will have a very busy 2018, starting with the Super Bowl,” says Daniel Nergard, president, Vizrt Americas. “Vizrt tools, including the Viz Libero remote telestrator, will help sports presenters take their productions to a higher level. They can directly control the clips they analyze on a touchscreen and explain the key moments of every game to their audience. Vizrt’s unlimited telestration tools help the fans have a better understanding of the game, gives the presenters more flexibility, and provides new interactive elements to the broadcaster’s show. Everyone wins.”