The big pitcher

WASP3D powered the graphics for Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast the 2014 World Cup across the two African nations. BroadcastPro ME takes a look at what the solution entailed

Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) chose WASP3D’S real-time on-air graphics solutions to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2014. The project began in early June, a week before the World Cup, and the solution was handed over to the end user just in time when the matches began.

WASP3D had one week to design both the solutions.

Commenting on the project, Deependra Rathi, Vice President – EMEA, WASP3D says: “For these two projects, in particular, we had to adhere to a very stringent timeline as the projects had to be up and running for the World Cup broadcast. Not only was the solution deployed on time, but we also managed to train the staff on-site to use the software. The live broadcast went smoothly thereafter, with added elements, thereby enriching the viewing experience for millions of viewers across the two African nations.”

WASP3D sent a different team to each site to deploy the solutions and train the staff. The network requirements were communicated to the end user in advance, to ensure the groundwork was in place when the teams arrived. The projects were undertaken simultaneously at the two sites, Nairobi in Kenya and Kampala in Uganda, at the broadcasters’ respective headquarters, because of the time constraint.

The WASP3D teams were on location two days before the project began.

“The end users’ cooperation went a long way in implementing these projects on time. It was as per the

plan, which saved us a lot of precious time to go live,” comments Rathi.

The project

The broadcasters presented a storyboard to WASP3D and stipulated their requirements, which included simplifying the graphics creation and the presentation process. They needed a comprehensive graphics package with interactive 3D graphics that could be displayed on a touchscreen and controlled by the anchor/presenter.

WASPi Mimosa was recommended, as it matched most of the requirements of the end user.

WASPi Mimosa, an interactive touch-based solution, was deployed in both the facilities. Although the basic software was the same, the design aesthetics were different in each case. WASPi Mimosa is an anchor-driven solution to present graphics and videos interactively. It is workflow-based and functions as a standalone system.

The solution allows the user to present the content (zoom, pan, stretch, spin) on a touchscreen. For creating interactive content, designers created various objects and animations inside the scene and marked them as ‘Interactive Enabled’ to allow object-related operations to be performed from the WASPi Mimosa application. The designers also included various activities, such as animation plays or pauses when a specific gesture is performed on a specified object.

“We tailor-made the packages specifically for FIFA World Cup 2014 live broadcast, to give the broadcasters more than just data graphics. The solutions also offered expert analysis and an engaging content presentation. Both the channels wanted the graphics to gel with their existing look and feel. We provided different in-field player strategy analysis and customised data entry applications for each of the two clients,” explains Rathi.

A project manager was assigned to each site to handle the entire project from creation and delivery to broadcast. Each location had a graphics resource and an IT resource for two weeks to train and handhold the project.

The solution

A team comprising senior product designers and technical heads designed the workflow for the two broadcasters. The workflow involved a simplified solution that is easy to operate, according to Rathi: “Our system is a standalone system which integrates well with other NLE (non linear editing) and newsroom automation systems.”

Using WASPi Mimosa, a presenter can guide viewers through the match with pre-game statistics and line-ups, in-game analysis and post-game discussions.

WASP3D’s interactive solution included 3D models of the stadiums in Brazil that hosted the World Cup. The 3D graphics templates were created in Drone Designer by the design team at WASP3D. The solution also offered live automated data feeds or manual data to be easily integrated using the Comb Builder application.

The solution automates the entire process of integration of data with the graphics template. The real-time data comes from multiple sources including the web, manual data entry, RSS feeds and so on; the solution has to ensure that nothing is lost.

The data is immediately picked up by the WASP server. The software then analyses the data, carries out calculations as required by the graphics templates and converts data into 3D graphics. The graphics are then updated automatically to be sent on-air as and when the anchor requires them. Everything in the workflow, right from data analysis to the creation of 3D graphics, is delivered in real time.

“This was critical to the success of the solution because we were dealing with live feeds here and the broadcast took place in real time as well,” comments Rathi.

The designers developed a customised data entry application (DEA) in which the user enters the data before the programme goes on air. The data entry in application is then reflected in the touch application (WASPi Mimosa in this case).

“The workflow was very simple. All one needed to do was to enter data in the DEA and then this data was ready to go on air. Our DEA has a built-in library of country flags, teams, players and their jersey numbers. This application additionally feeds data into the master database, which keeps all this information intact,” says Rathi.

Uganda and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation used WASP3D solution for showing broadcasting info graphics for pre- and post-match analysis. The pre-match analysis included team statistics, team goals, team standing, team fouls, team ties, goalie record, player goals, player statistics, offsides, team formation, field strategy, scenario building, team line-ups, weather updates and jersey colour.

During the match, the broadcast included real-time text commentary, real-time statistics including starting line-ups, clock timer, formations, substitutions, goals, shots, penalty shoot-outs, yellow cards, red cards, fouls committed, crosses, passes, offsides, corners, half-time scores, team score and so on.

The post match analysis featured wins and losses, team scores, half-time scores, half-time shots, goal analysis, match analysis, match summary, fouls, goals scored, goals saved and player goals, among other things.

The main challenge, according to Rathi, was training and also the inclusion of a number of on-site last-minute changes.

“It was a very prestigious yet challenging project for us. For one, we had a limited window to execute it. Secondly, the end user was not familiar with the solutions and training them took a lot of time and effort. With our team’s support and the end user’s desire to make it work, we achieved the perfect result.

“We are increasing our footprint in the Africa. We are already working with five customers in Kenya and one in Uganda. Africa is an upcoming territory because the continent has a mandate for digitisation, which gives a lot of scope for us to operate in the market,” he adds.

KBC was also provided with a complete real-time graphics package for news, business, weather and sports. A turnkey hardware and software package was delivered to the broadcaster with 40-day on-site support and training for its staff, including reporters, engineers and producers.