Fans to get unprecedented access in Premier League’s TV revolution

The English 

Premier League is set to initiate a TV revolution following the development of a skeletal tracking system which allows data to be relayed in real time. The tracking system developed by Premier League’s technology partner Genius Sports, will give broadcasters like Sky Sports and BT Sport the opportunity to show viewers statistics like each player’s running speed and shot velocity as the game unfolds. 

 While the breakthrough, which was agreed earlier this week with the Premier League, is primarily for broadcasters and their viewers, it will also be provided to the clubs as a coaching aid. All Premier League games are broadcast with an eight-second delay, enough time for Sky and BT to add graphics to accompany the action. Examples from Genius Sports’ subsidiary, Second Spectrum, shows running speeds appearing alongside players as they charge down the wing and shot speed popping up as a goal goes in from long range. The cutting edge technology works via state-of-the-art computer vision, artificial intelligence and machine learning.  Genius Sports say they are aiming to provide “dynamic, interactive metaverse applications” as a next step which would “allow fans to put themselves directly into the action”. 

 Genius Sports chief executive Mark Locke said;  “This partnership is an important next step in demonstrating the way data and advanced technology can amplify storytelling and fan engagement.”Genius has believed deeply in this vision for many years, which is now becoming a reality in partnership with Football DataCo and the Premier League. We’re incredibly excited to work on solutions to enhance how the most popular league in world soccer is consumed by millions of passionate fans worldwide.” Genius Sports are also working on a “mesh tracking” system, which will see data collected from contact points all over each player’s skin. 

 The Premier League renewed its domestic broadcast deal with Sky, BT and Amazon in May 2021, with the broadcasters paying £4.8billion to show matches between 2022 and 2025. International rights, meanwhile, are now worth even more, at £5.05bn, having risen by 30 per cent over the last package, which brought in £3.89bn between 2019 and 2022.