Fox will use virtual fans for his MLB game streams starting Saturday.
The use of augmented reality is designed to make viewers feel that broadcasts are as normal as possible, despite the ongoing pandemic that has left the stadiums empty.
“The original concept sounds like something that would never happen: pie in the sky,” Fox Sports executive vice president Brad Zager told The Post. “Pretty quickly after this pandemic hit, we thought we might be in a position to produce games without crowds.
“We were determined to try to make the broadcast without an audience feel as authentic and organic as possible. We want to give people an escape. “
Zager provided The Post with a sneak peek at what augmented reality is, and while not perfect, it seems realistic.
When contrasted with the view of an empty stadium or cardboard cutouts, the experience is likely to be superior.
That being said, we will reserve the entire trial as we only saw a 90 second demo.
Fox is also working with the NFL, which could implement it in games if, as it seems now, most, if not all, could be crowd-free.
“We will learn a lot,” said Zager. “The NFL has partnered with us and knows where we are in this process, and we will continue to work with them as we get closer to the NFL season, if we do.”
Three weeks ago, Fox, led by senior vice president of graphics and integration technology Zac Fields and his project partners, Silver Spoon Animation and SMT, along with MLB, sent officials to Chase Field in Phoenix to see what a virtual crowd would look like. . like during a game Technology gives the network ways to make the look more attractive.
The television broadcast of the Yankees-Nationals on Saturday will feature virtual fans and Fox can tailor it the way he wants.
Fox has the ability to decide attendance. At Nationals Park on Saturday, you can schedule if you want 30 percent or whatever of the crowd to be Yankees fans.
Fans will dress up for the weather and show excitement depending on what’s going on in the game. They could make the wave.
They won’t be able to catch a home run ball or, when the Yankees are home, still make a whitening creature chant.
There may be critics of adding admirers, feeling that it is not authentic, and perhaps starting a slippery slope. Fox will not have any permanent graphics that say “enhanced video,” which we recommend. Fox broadcasters will recognize the use of virtual fans.
“It’s not like we’re trying to make people feel like there’s a crowd there,” said Zager. “We are trying to make them feel that in normal baseball step by step, shot by shot, it is what they are used to.” We are not trying to fool anyone. “
As of now, no other network is using virtual fans. ESPN, TBS, YES, SNY and all other RSNs will have cardboard cutouts or empty seats. When asked if others could use it if it were a success, Zager said he hadn’t thought about it, but it seemed open.
“We are good partners with Major League Baseball,” said Zager. “We would work with people if they also wanted to adapt.”
In MLS, Fox has added crowd noise, while ESPN has tried to capture more of what players and coaches say. The additional fan chants are superior as, without it, MLS games are too much like a random college game you could see on ESPN +.
Listening to players with a microphone can be really good for the NBA, as basketball is better suited for trashy conversations and chats than a more extended game, like soccer.
The response from many soccer fans who see the added sound in NBC’s MLS or Premier League is that the improved sound becomes imperceptible after a while.
Zager said he hopes the same impact can happen now with the video, although Fox is not trying to fool anyone.
“When people watch it, I think it’s comforting to watch sports the way you’re used to seeing it at a time like now,” said Zager. “What sports is is an escape from all the things that are happening in the world. We want to make this escape right now as close as before and have as much fun as possible. ”
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