BBC’s Moscow studio deploys Vizrt’s AR graphics for World Cup coverage

BBC’s flagship World Cup programme Match of the Day which is recorded at studio in Moscow’s Red Square has deployed augmented reality (AR) graphics to help pundits and hosts tell the story of each match with stats, team news and other content. Vizrt’s Viz Engine is the chosen platform for graphics rendering, including AR in the studio and virtual set extensions to hide the array of production systems in the Red Square studio. Croatian tracking specialists, stYpe are providing tracking for six cameras in the studio while the UK’s Alston Elliott (AE) were assigned to design and operate AR graphics to complement the broadcaster’s teams.

Set up with a view of St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background, the aim is to let the viewer feel that they are being taken directly from Red Square into the live stadium action with a 180-degree camera move.

“AE is delighted to be working with BBC Sport to assist with the delivery of its highly impactful World Cup studio in Moscow,” said Stuart Coles, Chief Commercial Officer at Alston Elliott. “To be involved with such a high-profile event undoubtedly inspired our creative, R&D and broadcast engineering teams to really push the boundaries of what is possible and we are both proud and delighted with the results achieved.”

“BBC Sport, AE, stYpe and Vizrt have worked on many major events together, and in my view make a veritable AR dream team. We’re incredibly proud that four RedSpy systems are tracking every camera movement from the Red Square studio and truly excited to be covering the World Cup together, making it another successful collaboration,” said Stype Cajic, stYpe CEO.

“We’re very proud that BBC Sport and Alston Elliott continue to innovate with our technology, this year’s World Cup is the boldest yet for all involved, let’s hope England’s football team do us proud too” said Mark Pizzey, Vizrt’s Key Account Manager.