SMT 2024 Q3 Top 10 Highlights

Another exciting quarter for SMT! From supporting our 12th Olympic Games, to rolling out our Rugby Video Review service, we continued to push the limits of sports technology, bringing fans even closer to the action! 

BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: OLYMPIC GAMES

1. SMT's Olympic legacy and innovations at the 2024 Games

SMT's history with the Olympic Games began with the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, marking its 19th collaboration with NBC and 12th consecutive overall. Since then, SMT has expanded services to include live graphics interfaces, live web content creation, and innovative graphic presentations. A significant highlight of SMT's contributions includes developing NBC Olympics' digital asset management interface, which helped to earn NBC Emmy Awards in 2008, 2016 and 2022.

In 2024, SMT played a crucial role in delivering one of the most technologically advanced Olympic coverage experiences during the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. From July 24 to August 11 for the Olympics, and August 28 to September 8 for the Paralympics, SMT helped capture the excitement of over 400 hours of programming, introducing several new technologies designed to enhance the broadcast experience.

BIOMETRICS: A new addition for the 2024 Games, SMT provided biometric watches to select family members of athletes. These wearables tracked heart rates and displayed live data on NBC broadcasts, bringing a new level of emotional engagement to viewers. The feature, dubbed “The Heart of the Moment,” aired during swimming, gymnastics and athletics events, showcasing the supporters’ emotions and helping audiences relate to the heart-pounding excitement family members experience watching their loved ones compete.

TELESTRATOR: Used extensively in NBC’s broadcasts, our telestrator allowed producers to add virtual 2D graphics to live shots, helping viewers understand key moments and athletes through nameplates, headshots, and vision cones. NBC Sports producers, supported by SMT, use the tele at their discretion to highlight key moments, for example, a come-from-behind runner who advances to win the gold, into storytelling highlights for millions of viewers.

ISO TRACK: This optical tracking software tracked athletes live or during replays, providing detailed information such as speed and distance to the finish line, adding valuable layers of data for a richer viewer experience.

Throughout the Games, SMT also interfaced data and stats to the Chyrons for various sports, including golf, gymnastics, swimming, and track & field, as well as provided leaderboard, bracket, and medal standings graphics for all sports, coordinating logistics across multiple venues.

SMT's on-site team in Paris collaborated seamlessly with their crew at NBC's Stamford Operations Center, ensuring that real-time data was accurately represented on-air for NBC’s extensive programming schedule. With nearly 2,000 NBC Sports staff handling over 7,000 hours of Olympic coverage, SMT's presence proved vital in delivering an unforgettable viewing experience.

PARALYMPICS: SMT has provided tennis scoring services on behalf of Omega, the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, since the 2012 London Games. For the 2024 Paralympic Games, SMT continued its role in providing essential support services similar to those SMT offered during the Olympics, including chair umpire scoring, Serve Speed radar, Serve Clock integration, Olympic reports and data feeds for the on-site Omega scoreboards and the Olympic Broadcast Services (OBS).

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: CARAT COACH'S APP

2. SMT continues to revolutionize tennis analytics with CARAT Coach's App

Building on its successful debut last year, SMT's CARAT Coach's App has become a crucial element of the US Open coaching experience, a revolutionary shift in tennis analytics.

This advanced tool gives coaches unprecedented access to real-time data, fundamentally changing how they analyze and strategize during matches. With an intuitive interface that integrates multiple data sources, Coach's App provides a comprehensive overview of each match, empowering coaches and players alike.

Since 2023, when the ITF authorized on-court coaching, the app has emerged as an essential resource. Coaches are equipped with physical tablets for each match, allowing them to access live data and video replays instantly. Key features of the app include pre-match comparisons, live match data, and post-match analysis through a browser view, enabling coaches to evaluate performance with a layered approach.

SMT continued to build on its 30-year history of providing services to the US Open, IBM, USTA, ESPN and other clients, implementing groundbreaking statistical integration, broadcast graphics and on-site video production services for the 144th edition of one of tennis’ preeminent tournaments.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON

3. SMT powers Wimbledon with scoring and graphics solutions

This year, SMT took center stage at Wimbledon as the tournament's scoring provider for The Championships. Building on a history that spans nearly four decades, SMT's debut of the Tournament Management System (TMS) during Wimbledon qualifying solidifies SMT's position as the scoring provider for three of the four tennis Grand Slams. 

In a strategic partnership with IBM and the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), SMT enriched the Wimbledon experience with comprehensive scoring, statistical integration, multimedia and multi-platform coverage.

A dedicated team of 51 professionals from SMT was deployed to Wimbledon, ensuring seamless services including the TMS, chair umpire scoring and support, Commentator Scheduling Application, Wimbledon Information System (WIS), official match statistics, facility video displays and the Serve Speed system.

SMT's role extended beyond scoring services to advanced broadcast graphics. Match Insights Graphics, available on the host feed, have transformed the viewing experience, making complex statistical data accessible and engaging for a global audience. 

Designed by SMT's Creative Studio, these graphics integrate ball and player tracking, serve and return statistics, and in-play data to inform bar graphs, speed and percentage gauges, a 3D court display, and statistical analysis of key match points. This blend of real-time and retrospective data offers valuable insights that tell the story of each match and player and offering an engaging presentation for audiences. 

BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: TOUR DE FRANCE

4. SMT's 15th consecutive year setting the stages for Tour de France

In July, SMT wrapped up its 15th consecutive year supporting the Tour de France for NBC. The 111th edition of cycling’s biggest race saw 22 teams and 176 riders tackle a grueling 2,170-mile course, setting out from Florence, Italy, and culminating in Nice, a shift from the traditional finish at the Champs-Élysées due to the Olympics.

The evolution of SMT’s broadcast capabilities has transformed from a basic ISO Track single-operation production to a fully interfaced system that manages multiple data streams. This year, our onsite remote technician adeptly combined three unique data streams to enable real-time group scoring, updated classification standings, and dynamic graphics showcasing gradient and speed.

Broadcasting the Tour de France presents unique logistical challenges, as there is no centralized broadcast center for the event. Each day, production trucks park at the finish line of that day’s stage, only to pack up and travel over 100 miles to the next location. This relentless pace demands an extraordinary level of coordination and dedication from our SMT tech. 

The on-site tech coordinated seamlessly with the remote tech in Stamford, Connecticut, operating critical systems that fed data and graphics for the broadcast. This included the ISO Track and stat machines, which provided essential updates to the studio and mobile production units. The role of a live operator is multifaceted, requiring constant multitasking and keen awareness of the evolving storyline of the race. By skillfully listening to the producers and directors, operators ensure that graphics are not just informative but also enhance the narrative of the race.

SMT's advanced graphics technology plays a crucial role in conveying the complexities of the race. By interfacing with various data points, such as stage profiles, team rosters, and rider statistics, SMT enriches the broadcast, allowing fans to engage with every thrilling moment of the Tour de France.

ISO TRACK: Pointer graphics help identify riders in the densely packed peloton.

HAT GRAPHIC: Highlights group formations, key riders, and essential metrics like distance to finish and climbs. The hat also displays the speeds and gradients of all those individual groups.

TICKER: Provides real-time standings, abandons, stage winners and highlights American riders, adding depth to the viewing experience.

GRAPHICS: Interfaced with data such as stage profiles (maps of the stage), standings, team rosters, jersey leaders, IDs for riders in groups, group IDs, clocks, and rider name slabs with speed.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

5. SMT powers transformative data solutions for golf's oldest tournament

With over a dozen years as the official scoring and data collection provider for The Open Championship, otherwise known as the "British Open," SMT continued its track record of enhancing fan engagement for golf's oldest tournament.

SMT manages a trove of data for the tournament, from scheduling of pairings and groupings, to tracking every shot taken on the course, powering the on-course leaderboards, the media center scoreboard, and much more.

The SMT team typically arrives 10 days before the tournament starts, in time to strategically place wireless access points across the course, ensuring optimal connectivity for live scoring.

SMT then trains over 80 scorers on-site, arming each volunteer with a device to record shot details, such as shot distance, club choice, and results. These scoring alerts are sent to the official scoring room where they are output to on-course scoreboards, digital leaderboards, the broadcaster and the world feed, among other recipients. 

SMT provides the BrINT (Broadcast Interface) for the NBC telecast to American viewers in the states. SMT has provided this since 2017 when NBC acquired the rights.

The digital leaderboards provide spectators with real-time updates across the course, ensuring that fans seated far from the action can stay informed about player progress. The boards seamlessly integrate GPS data, so that when players approach a scoreboard, it transitions smoothly to a static display. 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: RUGBY VIDEO REVIEW

6. SMT launches Rugby Video Review, setting the stage for future projects

SMT has introduced its Rugby Video Review services at four major matches, marking a significant advancement in our services for rugby. This deployment showcases SMT’s commitment to enhancing video review technology across sports.

The SMT-VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system, which has been FIFA-certified for soccer since 2021, was customized for rugby and successfully used in two USA Rugby matches and two World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2024 matches. The system proved instrumental in managing Television Match Official (TMO) reviews, head injury assessments (HIA), and citing services directly at the venue.

The high-profile matches included the American Series 2024 matches—USA vs. Romania and USA vs. Scotland—and the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2024 matches—Canada vs. Japan and USA vs. Canada. For these events, SMT provided a comprehensive setup:

SMT-Tandem: This video server processes and routes all video sources through SMT-VAR, supporting a variety of formats and offering a user-friendly interface for system monitoring. All inputs are recorded and stored locally for post-event review. 

SMT-Kaleidoscope: Three of these machines combined all video outputs from SMT-Tandem into a tiled mosaic view, ensuring that every video source was accessible simultaneously. 

These systems ensured thorough coverage of TMO, HIA pitch-side and HIA medical room requirements. This robust deployment was designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of video reviews, contributing to the overall integrity and smooth execution of the matches.

BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: NFL IN BRAZIL 

7. SMT spreads its wings to support the NFL's first-ever game in São Paulo, Brazil

Taking an NFL game on the road is an undertaking like none other in professional sports. Now, imagine the complexities when staging an NFL game in a stadium that has never hosted American football, in a country where the NFL has never played. This was the challenge SMT faced for its first game in Brazil.

This groundbreaking event was not just a game; it was a showcase of American football in a new market, its success hinging on the expertise and agility of SMT's remote team—no pressure!  

The setup for the event was anything but straightforward. SMT's team, comprising an FTEN operator, graphics operator and a utility tech, had to adapt on the fly to the unique challenges of working in Arena Corinthians, a retrofitted soccer pitch, troubleshooting camera issues, and working to resolve unique technical difficulties that arose during the broadcast.

As the NFL explores new markets, SMT's experienced, quick-thinking crew will continue their commitment to providing top-notch technical support and remote production, reinforcing SMT’s reputation as a leader in sports broadcasting.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: VECTOR 4

8. SMT's Vector 4 shines during rainy NASCAR Chicago Street Race

Last year marked a significant milestone in motorsport history as Chicago hosted the inaugural street race in the NASCAR Cup Series, drawing nearly 5 million viewers and becoming the most-watched NASCAR event since 2017. SMT was proud to be part of the NBC Sports crew nominated for a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Technical Team Event. However, the excitement of the race was met with formidable challenges, including record-breaking flash floods and rain that led to race interruptions, lightning delays and even cancellations.

Determined to enhance the viewing experience this year, SMT and NBC faced the daunting task of navigating the complexities of street racing in a bustling metropolis like Chicago. The logistical hurdles were immense, but with experience from the previous year, the team was poised to deliver a seamless event. Central to this effort was the introduction of SMT's latest GPS unit, the Vector 4, a state-of-the-art data collection system designed to provide real-time insights to both broadcast partners and race teams.

The Vector 4, equipped with advanced technology, is installed on the ceiling of each car, featuring a GPS antenna, radio antenna, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that connects to the engine control unit (ECU). This sophisticated setup enables the collection of critical data on braking, throttling, and steering while enhancing GPS accuracy by integrating accelerometer and gyroscope information. Vectors communicate with strategically placed bay stations around the track, allowing for the sequential transfer of data back to SMT’s communication control hub, where it is monitored in real-time.

The data collected not only powers broadcast graphics but is also sent to race teams through the Team Analytics tool, enabling detailed analysis of driver performance and competitor metrics. SMT’s stringent checks on bay stations, batteries, and GPS satellite connections ensure an accuracy margin of just 2.5 centimeters, setting a new standard in the industry.

Despite facing heavy rainfall that resulted in a nearly 90-minute delay this year, the SMT team applied lessons learned from the previous event, contributing to an overall smoother execution and enhancing the thrilling experience for fans at home. 

IN THE NEWS: CINCINNATI OPEN

9. Inside the tech improvements of the Cincinnati Open's $260M renovation

Upgrades on the grounds include climate-controlled seats, SMT video displays and cameras to study trends and wait times around F&B and parking.

By Rob Schaefer, SBJ
8.13.2024

MASON – The Cincinnati Open is in the middle of a two-year renovation that will see $260M poured into upgrades to the Lindner Family Tennis Center before the 2025 edition. The tournament has also scaled up its technology investment in that span with a series of fan-facing and operational initiatives.

LOTS OF LED
SMT is in its 39th year as the tournament’s videoboard supplier. In 2024, it is responsible for 81 unique LED displays across the campus.

One particularly interesting application is at the player entrance tunnel on the west side of the grounds, where fans typically congregate throughout the day in search of autographs or photos. By scanning radio frequency chips in players’ credentials (provided by RFIDentikit), SMT projects players’ names and select biographical information on an LED screen above the throng just before they enter the corridor.

“That player entrance is a marquee experience for us. Fans love standing out there. It’s part of that intimacy that we have around the campus, and that closeness of the players to the fans,” said Cincinnati Open capital projects director Jansen Dell.

“It’s partly an experience for the fans – like, ‘Oh, that’s cool, let’s use technology.’ But part of it is educational, right? How do you make it personal? [Novak] Djokovic, Coco [Gauff] walk in, everybody knows who that is. But if you’ve got a lower-level player, how do you introduce that player? Make them feel comfortable? Now, the fans that are right there know that player’s name, they’re calling it out, they’re interacting more on a personal level.”

“We’re always not only trying to innovate and do technology, but on the production side, we’re always trying to push the envelope,” SMT senior business development manager Stephen Kemper said, while applauding the tech investment tournament owner Beemok Capital has recently made. “It’s nice to be involved in a partnership [with the Cincinnati Open] – it fits in with our vision of how we want to move forward.”

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: TELEMETRY

10. Telemetry makes IMSA debut on the big screens at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

This year marks SMT's second supporting IMSA's Battle On The Bricks race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A significant highlight this season was the incorporation of telemetry for IMSA cars into the television broadcast, providing real-time insights into vehicle and driver performance. In this penultimate race of the year, telemetry data was prominently displayed on video boards throughout the venue for the first time, including on the iconic Pagoda board, allowing spectators to gain deeper insights into race dynamics and car performance from any vantage point at IMS. 

In addition to telemetry, SMT delivered timing and scoring graphics for the Large Screen Video Display system at IMS. These graphics keep fans informed about race standings and lap times, guaranteeing an enhanced fan engagement experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.