On September 16, telecasts of key soccer matches in the UK entered a new tech-driven era, thanks to Amazon and a service that was first rolled out in the U.S. to National Football League viewers two years ago.
The Amazon Prime Video “Prime Vision” augmented reality tool is now being applied to British football, with gaming-style graphics as part of an effort to increase engagement among younger audiences.
The A/R features made their footy debut with a UEFA Champions League match featuring Tottenham Hotspur versus Villareal. Real-time tactical analysis was provided via an alternative feed that included automated graphics such as players’ names, running speeds and jump heights overlaid on the live video stream, Financial Times reported.
The newspaper also shared that shots on target will generate instant pop-ups showing ball speed and goal probability, while circles will spin under players with the ball at their feet or open for a pass.
There’s also a “momentum bar”, showing which team is more likely to score next, and a “tactical map” highlighting the live position of every player on the pitch.
“Prime Vision allows us to experiment and test an all-new broadcast,” said Alex Green, managing director of Prime Video Sport’s international division. “We are going to take the time to listen to fans and add functionality in the years to come.”
The long-term goal? User-driven customization of the A/R features, while they tune in to live soccer.
And, don’t forget those younger audiences. According to Amazon, the average age of those tuned to its alternate NFL feed was seven years younger than those tuned to the traditional broadcast and veteran announcer Al Michaels.
