MBC Pro Sports kicks off Saudi Pro Soccer League broadcasts with LaunchPad

MBC Pro Sports is helping Saudi Arabian soccer fans delve deep into the 2015-2016 season with comprehensive on-air soccer analysis fuelled by Reality Check Systems’ (RCS) LaunchPad touchscreen solution. The Dubai-based broadcaster recently outfitted its studio with the cloud-based technology, which it began using this month to bring viewers realtime player, team and match data; video replays; Tweets; telestrations; and analysis in Arabic.

Throughout the season, MBC will tap into LaunchPad’s feature set for highlights and review programming across four competitions including the Saudi Pro League and Crown Prince Cup. Using the interactive formation builder, on-air talent will predict match outcomes as they move player markers around a virtual pitch.

The match analysis tool will play a key role in reviewing player activity on the pitch, while integration with MBC’s Vizrt Viz Libero 3D analysis software will enable quick video clip access and playout. With fast-to-air Twitter integration, MBC talent can also mine and display relevant Tweets, and RCS tailored the system so that MBC can populate LaunchPad scenes with sponsorship artwork — a first for the touchscreen.

“This season we set out to revitalise the viewing experience for Saudi Pro League fans, and when we saw LaunchPad, we knew we’d found the ideal solution. With instant access to realtime data, analysis tools and sleek 3D graphics in an intuitive touchscreen, it’s the ultimate storytelling vehicle,” said MBC Pro Sports Head of Graphics Fadi Radi. “LaunchPad gives our team the flexibility to get fans more engaged in the sport through analytics. Having worked with RCS for years, and experienced their track record in Vizrt integrations, we knew we could trust them, and they definitely went above and beyond.”

The system culls data from Opta data feeds; sorts and organises the information; and makes it accessible via the touchscreen. Leading up to the launch RCS worked closely with MBC on Arabic translations and built MBC’s existing graphics into LaunchPad scenes to ensure the graphics reflected its broadcast aesthetic. A second phase of development, integrating the system with MBC’s Grass Valley K2 Dyno video server, is already underway.