Happy New Year from SMT!

This year, SMT Creative Studio delivered some holiday cheer with an animated, AI-powered holiday card featuring our remote operations teams singing together in perfect harmony!

A look back at 2024

As we look back at 2024, SMT proudly celebrates a year of groundbreaking achievements across a wide array of sports and events. From enhancing the tennis experience with advanced analytics and immersive displays to new enhancements for NHL broadcasts, our innovations have elevated fan engagement and storytelling. We played a vital role in Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcasts, brought precision and excitement to NASCAR and NHRA events, and delivered cutting-edge solutions to iconic tournaments like The Masters, The Open Championship, and premier marathons worldwide. Our partnership with NBC at the Paris 2024 Olympics showcased SMT’s ability to integrate real-time data and captivating graphics on a global stage, while new ventures in rugby and our continued work with the Professional Fighters League highlight our drive to innovate across all sports. Thank you to the SMT team for making this year unforgettable and for setting the stage for an exciting 2025!

SPORT SPOTLIGHT: TENNIS

1. SMT serves up new tennis tech: CARAT coach's app, Net Spider, data-infused graphics, selfie stations

Across the globe, SMT’s technology continues to elevate tennis tournaments, delivering precision, real-time data and engaging experiences for audiences at Grand Slam events and premier international tournaments. Whether through scoring systems, advanced analytics, or immersive displays, SMT remains at the forefront of innovation in the world of tennis.

Here’s a look at SMT’s innovative contributions across the tennis landscape in 2024:

Australian Open: 33 Years of Innovation and Tournament Support
SMT once again played a pivotal role at the Australian Open and its lead-up tournaments across Australia, delivering a comprehensive suite of services to enhance tournament operations and fan engagement.

Product Spotlights:

• Chair Umpire Scoring Tablet: Real-time, bidirectional scoring capabilities.
• Core Scoring System: Backbone for live scoring, broadcast graphics and digital platforms.
• AUS Open Vision (IPTV): Multi-stream match stats, player analytics and historical data.
• Serve Clock & Serve Speed Systems: Enhanced timing and performance tracking across 16 courts.
• Automated Match Analysis: Indexed video content for players, coaches and media.
• LED Scoreboard & Info Tower Content: Dynamic, real-time displays for spectators.

“Each year, SMT continues to bring innovative technology to the Australian Open, enhancing the level of play, and, in turn, fan engagement."

Josh Lee, Head of Broadcast & Media Operations, Tennis Australia

Charleston Open: Circle Display Debut Enhances Fan Engagement
This year’s Credit One Charleston Open set a new benchmark for fan experience with SMT’s comprehensive suite of products and services. A standout feature was the debut of SMT’s Circle Display, a 14.5-foot diameter wraparound board that projected live video, scores, sponsored assets, and schedule updates.

Product Spotlights:

• Circle Display: Immersive, dynamic visuals for spectators.
• Serve Speed & Serve Clock: Real-time data for serve performance.
• CCTV, Selfie Kiosks & LED Displays: Enhanced on-site entertainment.
• Graphics, Scoring & Data Distribution: Seamless integration of tournament data.

“The amount of video boards [at the Credit One Charleston Open], I would put it up with any 1000-level event. The days of static signs are, in our opinion, over – how do we animate? How do we bring brands to life in the viewing process?”

Bob Moran, COCO tournament director and president, Beemok Sports & Entertainment

Wimbledon: Scoring and Match Insights Graphics Take Center Stage
SMT continued its legacy at Wimbledon, providing advanced scoring solutions and debuting the Tournament Management System (TMS) throughout the tournament. Broadcast graphics transformed complex statistical data into accessible, engaging visuals for fans worldwide.

Product Spotlights:

• Tournament Management System (TMS): Streamlined scoring and match management.
• Match Insights Graphics: Real-time ball tracking, serve speeds and 3D court analysis.
• Serve Speed System: Accurate player serve data across courts.
• Wimbledon Information System (WIS): Comprehensive stats and scheduling tools for officials.

Cincinnati Open: Technology-Driven Upgrades in $260M Renovation
Amid a major transformation at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, SMT implemented cutting-edge fan-facing displays and operational technology.

Product Spotlights:

• 81 LED Displays: Across player entrances, courts and fan zones.
• RFID Player Projection System: Biographical details projected as players enter through the tunnel.
• CCTV Cameras: Monitored trends for food and beverage and parking wait times.

“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. 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? Djokovic, Coco 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.”

Jansen Dell, Cincinnati Open capital projects director

US Open: CARAT Coach’s App Revolutionizes On-Court Coaching

SMT’s CARAT Coach’s App solidified its role as an essential coaching tool at the US Open, offering unprecedented access to real-time performance data. Coaches gained instant insights into match dynamics, empowering on-the-fly strategy adjustments.

Product Spotlights:

• CARAT Coach’s App: Pre-match comparisons, live stats, and post-match analysis. Serve, return, and in-play tools for in-depth insights into player tendencies.
• Broadcast Graphics & On-Site Video Production: Delivered for USTA, IBM, ESPN, and global audiences.

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: NHL

2. SPRITES, OPTICS Pro and Clips to Cloud redefine NHL analysis

SMT played a pivotal role in elevating the NHL fan experience this year, leveraging cutting-edge puck and player tracking (PPT) technology and innovative broadcast graphics to engage audiences like never before. From outdoor events to analytics-driven broadcasts, SMT continues to shape the storytelling of hockey through dynamic visuals and real-time insights. 

Key Highlights from 2024:

SPRITES: This year, SMT expanded its popular on-ice SPRITES technology to even more arenas, providing immersive fan experiences at watch parties during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans marveled at real-time puck- and player-tracking projected directly onto the ice, a hit with millions of viewers both in-arena and online.

Spray Chart: Unveiled at the Rangers vs. Islanders game at MetLife Stadium, this new feature tracks and visualizes puck paths and goal locations in 3D, offering fans and analysts unparalleled clarity during critical moments.

OPTICS Pro: OPTICS player-pointer graphics continued to highlight puck possession in real time, while the Bug HUG dynamically linked player stats from the scorebug to on-ice action. Additionally, the new player radius feature on OPTICS Pro now visualizes the space around a player, adding depth to telestrated replays.

Shot Chart: SMT enhanced its shot chart technology by integrating it into the OPTICS Pro system, enabling shot charts to seamlessly appear across multiple camera angles for a more comprehensive analysis of game action. Shot charts now feature audio on SMT-packaged replays, syncing natural ice effects sound to packaged replays.

Clips to Cloud: SMT’s "Clips to Cloud" initiative reimagines the use of telestrated hockey replays by making them accessible beyond TV broadcasts. In Part 1, SMT developed a cloud-based library where replay operators can save highlight packages during games. Part 2 introduced the "NHL Clips Now" interface, allowing users to view and download replays in real time via phone or PC. This platform empowers the NHL to repurpose replay content for in-venue presentations and approved social media channels, broadening its impact.

NHL DataCast: TNT Sports launched this alternative analytics-focused broadcast during the Western Conference Final. Featuring SMT’s NHL EDGE stats, DataCast delivered advanced metrics like skating speed, distance traveled, and time on ice, meeting the growing demand for in-depth insights.

ASL Integration: The Stanley Cup Final saw the debut of ASL (American Sign Language) broadcasters for play-by-play and color commentary. Coupled with SMT’s revamped L-Bar, featuring live PPT data and HITS scoring, these broadcasts set a new standard for accessibility and engagement.

Outdoor Milestones: The NHL Winter Classic at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park marked the first outdoor deployment of SMT’s PPT system. Fans experienced real-time tracking data, including player movements, puck trajectories, and statistical overlays like never before.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BROADCAST GRAPHICS

3. SMT powers enhanced viewing experiences for Prime Video TNF shows

Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football (TNF) broadcasts have set a new standard for NFL streaming, captivating fans with exclusive coverage and innovative features. With an average of 13.61 million viewers per game—up 9% from last season—TNF is redefining how fans engage with football. Behind the scenes, SMT plays a vital role in delivering the cutting-edge graphics and analytics that make these broadcasts stand out.

Here are some of SMT's key contributions to this season’s TNF broadcasts:

• Defensive Vulnerability (DV): Developed by Amazon and powered by SMT's visualization tools, this AI-driven feature predicts defensive weaknesses and highlights them on the field. It provides fans and analysts with real-time insights into potential offensive opportunities, especially during critical Red Zone plays.
• Man in Motion Graphics: SMT’s dynamic graphics track pre-snap player movement with a dotted white line, giving audiences a "playbook" perspective. Recent updates have refined its clarity, making it even more engaging and intuitive for viewers.
• High Skycam Integration: SMT enhances the game-day experience by pairing high Skycam visuals with real-time graphics. This combination provides dynamic, aerial perspectives that deepen fans' understanding of the action on the field.

As Amazon Prime Video continues to break new ground in NFL broadcasting, SMT's innovative solutions remain essential to creating a more immersive and interactive viewing experience for football fans everywhere.

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: NASCAR

4. SMT wraps up a decade of NASCAR coverage, gears up for 2025

The 2024 NASCAR season marked the conclusion of a decade-long media rights agreement with FOX and NBC Sports, during which SMT played a pivotal role in enhancing broadcasts with cutting-edge products and graphics. Leveraging real-time data, GPS, and timing technologies, SMT’s tools transformed how fans experienced NASCAR, delivering dynamic storytelling and unrivaled accuracy.

Highlights of SMT's NASCAR Solutions in 2024:

• GEM Stat: Powered NBC’s NASCAR coverage by processing over 10 real-time data feeds to generate essential stats and graphics for practice, qualifying, and race sessions. GEM Stat excelled in tracking NASCAR’s complex playoff structure, presenting hundreds of graphics pages with real-time updates on points, tiebreakers, and advancement scenarios.

• GEM Live: Delivered real-time, dynamic visuals such as live scoring pylons, tracking every pass and point shift during races. SMT’s engineering and QA teams ensured flawless operation for over 100 live broadcasts across 20 weeks.

• Vector 4 GPS Technology: Introduced in 2024, this advanced GPS tracking system doubled satellite usage, offering unmatched precision even in challenging environments. Vector 4 provided broadcasters and teams with accurate data for leaderboard rankings, pit stops, and telemetry, enhancing both broadcasts and competition strategy.

• Team Analytics: Featured on NASCAR’s official YouTube channel, this platform allowed crew chiefs and commentators to break down critical moments using real-time GPS data and analytics. Notable highlights included analysis of the championship battle between Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.

Looking Ahead

As NASCAR heads into a new era, SMT is planning to support an expanded roster of broadcast partners in 2025, including CW, Amazon, and TNT, alongside FOX and NBC. SMT will support each NASCAR team with SMT's Team Analytics platform. 

GRAPHICS SPOTLIGHT: NHRA

5. SMT Powers NHRA with Dynamic Graphics and Cutting-Edge Technology

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series roared into 2024 with SMT as its exclusive graphics partner, delivering a fully customized graphics insert package for Fox Sports broadcasts. Debuting at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals—one of NHRA's most-watched events—SMT’s solutions enhanced fan engagement by making the sport’s lightning-fast action more accessible and visually captivating.

Here’s a breakdown of SMT’s standout contributions to NHRA this season:

Custom Graphics Insert Package: SMT Creative Studio designed a bespoke insert package that brought the intricacies of drag racing to life, integrating real-time data such as reaction times, elapsed times, and speeds for a broadcast that was as informative as it was thrilling.

GEMLive for 4-Wide Racing: SMT’s GEMLive platform featured a specialized module tailored for NHRA’s 4-Wide races, ensuring seamless integration of data for these unique side-by-side-by-side-by-side competitions.

NITRO Video Overlay System: SMT’s patented NITRO system synchronized perfectly with the broadcast feed, offering precise virtual overlays for race timing, sponsor branding, and even virtual finish lines—highlighting dramatic photo finishes at speeds exceeding 330 mph.

Show Open Animation: SMT collaborated with NHRA and Fox Sports to create a high-energy animated show open for the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, blending cutting-edge motion design with NHRA’s storied tradition.

Data Tablets: NHRA announcers Brian Lohnes and Tony Pedregon utilized SMT’s data tablets to provide live scoring updates, driver stats, and historical insights, elevating the quality of live coverage.

“The introduction of the SMT data tablets were a game changer for us in the booth. SMT did a marvelous job.”

Tony Pedregon, color commentator for NHRA on FOX Sports

SPORT SPOTLIGHT: GOLF

6. SMT drives golf excellence in 2024

SMT continued its tradition of elevating golf tournaments around the globe in 2024 with data solutions and graphics. From the iconic Masters to the historic Open Championship, SMT's products and services enhanced every facet of the fan, player and media experience. From the first tee to the final putt, SMT remains the gold standard in golf data and display solutions.

The Masters: Precision and Innovation Across Every Event
SMT once again showcased its unmatched expertise at Augusta National Golf Club, supporting not only the Masters Tournament but also its associated events with innovative solutions and flawless execution.

• Masters Select: Approximately 500 laptops displayed over 25 encoded video channels, featuring scores, player stats, pairings and course statistics. Over 300 users accessed the online version for media, broadcasters and tournament staff.
• Media & Broadcast: Two massive video walls in the Press Arena showcased live video, leaderboards and statistics. The Masters database and detailed media reports ensured comprehensive historical coverage.
• Ball Position & Shot Charting: Utilizing Trimble Total Station lasers and Dell Rugged tablets for precise data capture during practice rounds and the Par 3 Contest.
• Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Real-time updates with walking scoring, ball position tracking, and video wall displays.
• Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals: Trimble lasers and Dell tablets captured scores, with video walls displaying competitor stats. SMT also provided television interface laptops for Golf Channel broadcasts.
• Patron Entry Displays: Six video walls displayed leaderboards, messaging, and weather updates, ensuring patrons stayed informed upon arrival.

U.S. Open: Record-Breaking Digital Displays and Seamless Data Solutions
SMT delivered the largest digital display deployment in U.S. Open history, supporting the tournament at Pinehurst No. 2 with a comprehensive range of technologies to elevate fan engagement and operational efficiency.

Tournament Highlights

• Monsterboard: A 112-foot double screen at the 18th green displayed hole-by-hole leaderboards, player stats, and live video before play reached the hole.
• Fan Central Displays: Two curved, double-sided LED screens served as a centerpiece, showcasing live video, scoring, and information.
• TIPS (Tournament IPTV Platform & Service): Over 650 TVs delivered live feeds, messaging, and sponsor graphics across hospitality suites and the course.
• Expanded Coverage: Displays were installed at key locations including practice ranges, entrances, media centers, and hospitality zones like the 1895 Club.
• SMT Creative Studio: Updated branding and visual assets for the USGA enhanced the event's presentation.

U.S. Women’s Open: Fan-Focused Displays and Innovative Data Tools
SMT’s team of 14 provided extensive support at Lancaster Country Club, ensuring an immersive experience for fans through dynamic displays and smart data solutions.

Key Contributions

• Video Walls: Five large walls, including a Monsterboard at the final hole, featured real-time stats and graphics.
• Hole-Specific Displays: Ten smaller boards showcased location-specific stats, keeping fans informed across the course.
• TIPS Deployment: Over 170 TVs across offices and chalets broadcast live coverage, event updates, and weather alerts.
• Practice Round Tracking: Software solutions enabled player tracking, allowing fans to follow their favorite golfers and helping organizers analyze course conditions.

The Open Championship: Decades of Data Expertise for Golf's Oldest Major
At The Open Championship, SMT leveraged its deep expertise to deliver unparalleled data collection, scoring, and display solutions for golf's most historic tournament.

Key Services

• On-Course Scoring: SMT trained over 80 scorers to capture critical shot details like distance, club choice, and results.
• Real-Time Leaderboards: Digital boards integrated GPS data to seamlessly display real-time scores and player updates as golfers approached.
• NBC Broadcast Support: SMT provided the BrINT (Broadcast Interface) for NBC’s U.S. telecast, ensuring accurate and timely data delivery.
• Connectivity and Data Capture: Wireless access points were strategically deployed across the course, enabling live scoring and seamless communication.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: THE OLYMPIC GAMES

7. SMT's Olympics legacy and innovations at the 2024 Games

SMT continued its long-standing partnership with NBC during the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, marking its 13th collaboration with the network since 2000. Leveraging decades of experience, SMT provided innovative technology and services to enhance NBC’s coverage, delivering over 400 hours of Olympic programming and contributing to NBC’s nearly 7,000 hours of Games coverage. SMT's on-site team in Paris collaborated seamlessly with their counterparts at NBC's Stamford Operations Center, ensuring that real-time data was accurately represented on-air for NBC’s extensive programming schedule. From seamless data integration to captivating live graphics, SMT played a pivotal role in capturing the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event.

Biometrics: A standout innovation was the debut of biometric watches, worn by athletes’ family members to track and display live heart rate data during events like swimming, gymnastics, and athletics. Dubbed “The Heart of the Moment,” this feature added an emotional layer to NBC broadcasts, showcasing supporters' reactions in real time.

Telestrator and ISO Track: SMT’s telestrator and ISO Track software further enriched the viewer experience, providing virtual graphics and athlete performance data, such as speed and distance to the finish line, across replays and live broadcasts. Additionally, SMT interfaced stats and data across sports, producing graphics for leaderboards, medal standings, and Chyron displays.

Paralympics: For the Paralympics, SMT continued to provide tennis scoring services on behalf of Omega, the official Olympic timekeeper, along with support for chair umpire scoring, serve speed radar, and data feeds for on-site and broadcast systems. 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: RUGBY VIDEO REVIEW

8. SMT supports major rugby tournaments with advanced video review technology

SMT introduced its Rugby Video Review services at four high-profile matches, showcasing SMT’s commitment to enhancing video review technology across sports.

Product Spotlights:

• SMT-VAR: Customized Video Assistant Referee system for managing TMO (Television Match Official) reviews, head injury assessments (HIA), and citing services on-site. SMT-VAR has been FIFA-certified for soccer since 2021 and has subsequently been tailored to align with World Rugby's TMO processes and standards.
• SMT-Tandem: Processes and records all video sources, enabling seamless routing and local storage for post-event review.
• SMT-Kaleidoscope: Combines multiple video outputs into a mosaic view, giving officials simultaneous access to all sources.

Deployed at USA Rugby’s American Series and World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup matches, SMT’s technology set a strong foundation for future rugby projects.

SPORT SPOTLIGHT: MARATHONS

9. SMT's Marathon Support: Enhancing experiences at Boston, Chicago and NYC

SMT’s cutting-edge technology and innovative products have become a cornerstone of the world’s premier marathon events. From LED displays and live data integrations to multilingual solutions and social media engagement, SMT has continually raised the bar for what’s possible at the Boston, Chicago, and New York City marathons. Here's a look at the highlights from 2024.

LED Boards Keep Spectators and Media Dialed in at the Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon, one of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors, is renowned for its rich history and global appeal. With over 500,000 spectators and top athletes competing for more than $1.1 million in prize money, it’s a showcase of endurance and excellence. SMT has been a key partner since 2018, enhancing the event with advanced digital solutions.

• Photo Bridge LED Display: The iconic 52-by-4-foot LED display at the finish line featured countdown clocks, wave clocks, live divisions, and dynamic sponsor content, modernizing the marathon’s historic atmosphere.
• Finish Line Display: Adjacent to the finish line, this screen kept spectators informed with live race footage, leaderboards, and event updates.
• Media Center Video Wall: A quad-split LED display provided comprehensive race coverage to media outlets, located in the Fairmont Copley Square Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
• VIP Hospitality Displays: LCD screens at the Boston Public Library delivered live race data and sponsor information for VIP guests.
• Broadcast Graphics: SMT supplied ESPN and ABC with a race ticker, ISO Track, and timing graphics for enhanced broadcast coverage.

Enhanced Finish Line Production at the 2024 Chicago Marathon
The 2024 Chicago Marathon saw SMT introduce its most advanced finish line setup yet, delivering a richer experience for runners, spectators, and sponsors. With over 45,000 runners and one of the fastest courses in the world, Chicago always guarantees excitement and opportunities to enhance the fan experience.

• Finish Line LED Structure: A multi-sided LED display showcased live race footage, sponsor content, and highlights.
• Ribbon Board Displays: Located along the finish line approach, these LED screens displayed animations, live race data, and sponsor messages.
• Tagboard Social Media Integration: Spectators posted personalized messages for runners using a designated hashtag, which appeared on the finish line display.
• Broadcast Graphics: Local NBC broadcasts featured SMT’s leaderboards, countdown clocks, and race crawls, enriching the viewing experience.

Multilingual Captioning and Cheer Displays at the 2024 NYC Marathon
For the 10th consecutive year, SMT supported the TCS New York City Marathon, where 50,000 runners and 2 million spectators celebrated the pinnacle of endurance running. New for 2024, SMT introduced multilingual and community-focused features.

• Wordly Multilingual Captioning: Live captioning in over 60 languages at the Expo Running Lab and at Finish Line, allowing attendees to view translations on LED displays or access them via QR codes on their devices for an inclusive experience.
• Course-Wide LED Displays: Fourteen displays across the course delivered race highlights, social media messages and live video updates.
• Citizens Bank Cheer Zone Display: A dedicated Mile 12 display featured pre-race messages and sponsor content.
• USATF 5K Championships Support: SMT powered displays and streaming for the championships, showcasing elite performances.
• Broadcast Graphics: ABC7/WABC-TV, ESPN2, and ESPN3 utilized SMT's pointer graphics and ISO Track technology to highlight runners and enhance live coverage.

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE

10. From Punch Speed to betting odds, SMT boosts PFL viewer engagement

For the 2024 PFL season, SMT supported various series, including the PFL Regular Season, Bellator Championship Series, and PFL PPV events. Key services included the POP SportsCG package, which handled scorebars, full-screen graphics, L3s, headshots, and sponsor art. Additionally, SMT's Smart Telestrator and Strike-Stat System provided dynamic tools for fight analysis, while GEM Live delivered real-time betting odds and stats integration for both broadcasts and the PFL website.

Punch Speed and Kick Speed: SMT's Punch Speed and Kick Speed tools offered real-time tracking of strike power, with glove sensors measuring punch speed and optical tracking analyzing the power of kicks. The Fighter Tracker monitored fighters' movements within the cage, adding depth to viewers' understanding of the match dynamics. SMT’s GOTO Betting Board enhanced the betting experience with live odds and parlays.

Fighter Performance Rating: This AI tool uses an algorithm to measure every fighter in every weight class so fans can compare, for example, how a female 155-pounder performs versus a 265-pound male heavyweight.

GOTO Betting Board: Capable of integrating virtually any sportsbook’s betting API to provide real-time odds, the GOTO touchscreen is used by talent to show fighter odds, prop bets, build parlays, and potential bet payouts.

Fight Tracker: This GPS-positioning tool shows the distance fighters travel within the cage and how much time a fighter spends up against the cage.

Graphics Package: Throughout the season, SMT introduced a refreshed graphics package, updating the look of the in-fight stats bar and improving viewer engagement. The successful integration of on-site and remote support during key events, including the PFL Championship, demonstrated SMT's ability to manage multiple international feeds and deliver seamless, high-quality broadcasts.