Behind The Scenes Of LaLiga’s Closed Doors Broadcast Innovations
June 30, 2020
LaLiga has resumed without fans in the stands due to health measures following the global COVID-19 pandemic. In anticipation of this, LaLiga spent two months between April and June developing technology that would help enhance its TV match broadcasts.
Through partnering with VIZRT and EA SPORTS the league created virtualised fans and crowd audio, creating the impression of full, lively stadiums while fans cannot physically attend.
LaLiga has been investing in match broadcast technologies for several years, through innovations such as volumetric video in the form of 360° replays, real-time statistics through its in-game video analysis tool Mediacoach, the installation of spider cams in more stadia than any other league and more. This commitment put the league in a strong position to meet the new challenge of behind-closed doors games.
As LaLiga’s Chief Communications Officer Joris Evers explained: “We have history in terms of being at the leading edge when it comes to our broadcasts. We’ve pioneered various technologies to make LaLiga look great on screens around the world and to give fans, wherever they are, the sense that they’re as close to the action as they can possibly be. Now, I think LaLiga is the only sports broadcast today around the world that offers this kind of viewing experience with the virtual audience as well as the virtual audio. It’s a big responsibility because millions watch LaLiga around the world in more than 180 countries.”
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