Exterity and C3i Group strengthen partnership ahead of The Open

Exteriry and C3i Group have announced they will extend their existing collaboration to provide the R&A with best in class IP video solutions and connectivity during large-scale tournaments such as The Open, as well as The Walker Cup and numerous amateur golf tournaments. The announcement follows C3i Group’s selection as Digital Communications Partner to The Open until 2021.

Commenting on C3i Group’s relationship with Exterity, Jason Hall, Managing Director at C3i Group said: “We chose Exterity a number of years ago, when we needed a robust IP video solution that adapted to the particular environment of live events. As our clients continue to grow, it was crucial for us that our provider remained ahead of the curve, which is a strong USP for Exterity. In addition, as an Exterity StreamForce channel program Premier partner, we have consistently received valuable support over the years, enabling us to continue to deliver the best of IP video to our clients.”

Exterity and C3i Group first joined forces to offer the first video streaming system for The Open in 2010. The solution has been maintained since, expanding its coverage of the event to the hospitality and media suites in order to enable the media and fans attending the tournament to appreciate the golfers’ performances.

The system deployed for The Open combines over 400 displays and set-top boxes, live streaming around the event and to a 36m LED video wall in the media center, which delivers live feeds to on-site broadcasters, such as BBC, ESPN and TV Asahi. The Open will add coverage from NBC and Sky in 2016, enabling each on-site broadcaster to stream live feeds from European Tour Productions, the official world video feed provider, alongside each broadcaster’s content throughout the event. The Exterity system can also be used to deliver health and safety messages to ensure that information can be disseminated quickly.

Colin Farquhar, CEO at Exterity, added: “Video coverage has become an integral part of the fan experience during live events, and we’re proud to be working with C3i Group to ensure high quality video streaming at events of the calibre of The Open or The Walker Cup.

“As an Exterity StreamForce program Premier partner, C3i Group has consistently shown an impressive capacity to easily and seamlessly deploy temporary installations for large-scale and complex events. We are already extending our collaboration by providing an on-site managed service alongside the C3i Group team to ensure that the delivery of the solution remains seamless and to the utmost standard. This way, fans will feel even more immersed in the golfing action.”