Live From FIFA World Cup: Televisa Nabs Largest Studio, Puts AR Front and Center

Mexican football fans may have been disappointed with the way their team played when it was knocked out of the World Cup by Brazil on Tuesday, but they can’t be disappointed with Televisa’s coverage of the tournament. The channel is not only sharing rights with TV Azteca to make coverage available to more viewers but is also delivering a daily show on Facebook Live. From the largest studio in the IBC, it is offering plenty of different looks, thanks to programmable displays and the use of augmented reality.

Televisa’s Victor Galindo inside the Televisa studio, the largest at the IBC

“It’s spectacular to see the AR graphics in the studio,” says Televisa’s Chief Engineer Victor Galindo. “It’s the first time we have done video mapping for TV.”

Televisa’s IBC presence includes two control rooms with video feeds sent to and from Mexico via NewTek’s NDI (Network Device Interface). The augmented-reality capabilities rely on VizRT graphics, WASP 3D technology, and Stype AR camera kits for tracking. Galindo says the reaction from viewers has been positive. Televisa Engineer Eduardo Ledesma oversaw the technical team and aspects of the project.

The big studio at the IBC measures 720 sq. meters, and a staff of two (plus eight technicians) oversees production of six shows per day. That team is complemented by one at Red Square, where Televisa has a second studio in the FIFA TV studio block near St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Approximately 200 people are onsite for the network, including two ENG crews that make use of LiveU bonded-cellular transmission technology. Video feeds are sent from the IBC to Miami and Mexico.

As for its Facebook offering, the daily show has behind-the-scenes content, training seasons, interviews, and highlights.

The channel also delivered augmented-reality features for Facebook users to show their support of Mexico’s national team. According to Isaura Morales, head of Facebook sport partnerships, LATAM North Region, more than 84 million people in Mexico have the opportunity to take advantage of the Facebook presence.

“Through Facebook Live,” Morales notes, “Televisa Deportes will connect with new audiences, in an interactive and social way.”