Vizrt puts fans in seats for televised football

Television audiences in Spain could opt for the ‘virtual fan experience,’ with Vizrt software layering empty seats with graphics depicting virtual fans

Vizrt has announced that it has worked with Mediapro wTVision to deliver an enhanced atmosphere for televised La Liga football matches.

When Spain’s La Liga returned to television after the pandemic-mandated layoff, fans at home were given two viewing options: watch match play among the empty seats – or opt for the ‘virtual fan experience.’

Working closely with La Liga media partner Mediapro wTVision, Vizrt was chosen along with EA Sports to make the return of La Liga football and the virtual fan experience a reality. Working under very tight deadlines to deploy live technology across multiple stadiums, the company said that the excitement behind the scenes in control rooms matched that on the pitch.

Relying on Vizrt software, which allowed the layering empty seats with graphics depicting virtual fans, Mediapro wTVision provided the effect of filled stadiums with cheering fans. Along with piped-in fan audio manually controlled to match the action on the field, Vizrt said that fans at home overwhelmingly chose the virtual fan experience to enjoy the La Liga matches.