NAB Show: Supponor And Telstra Broadcast Services To Bring Virtual Advertising To Sports World

Supponor, a global technology provider in virtual advertising, and Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS), a provider of end-to-end broadcast and media related services, today announced a joint initiative to bring virtual advertising as-a-service to sports properties, federations and rights owners worldwide.

As a result of the recent successful launch of their league-wide solution for the National Hockey League (NHL), Supponor and TBS are expanding their collaboration to make virtual advertising services more accessible to other international sports leagues in APAC, EMEA and the Americas.

The collaboration enables rights owners and their partners to effectively target global audiences with new and innovative technologies, such as customized virtual signage powered by the Supponor AIR technology. These technologies can now integrate within the existing broadcast infrastructure required to reliably and resiliently produce and distribute live top tier sports events.

Supponor’s long-term partnership with the NHL has seen its Digitally Enhanced Dasherboards (DED) system integrated into the live broadcast feed to enable the real-time replacement of camera-visible arena advertising boards and placement of dynamic on-ice assets. DED graphics can be displayed during games in a market-specific way, wherever and however the game feed is broadcast, resulting in high-impact and targeted branding and promotional messaging, not previously achievable.

Telstra, which supports the delivery of NHL content through its Broadcast Operations Centers in Pittsburgh, Sydney and London, also provides the connectivity required to control and deliver this powerful advertising technology. The Telstra Global Media Network (GMN), which underpins the distribution of the League’s multiple feeds from every game to different markets.

Supponor CEO James B. Gambrell said: “The extension of our partnership with Telstra to bring virtual advertising to more rights owners, their partners and fans worldwide is just part of our continuing strategy of working with global partners. Together we hope to change the way properties and broadcasters interact with global brands in any sport where virtual advertising can form an integral part of the fabric of live sports production and distribution. Having already covered over 1,300 games for the NHL this season, and nearly 1,500 events in other sports from soccer to rugby, we have proven the quality, scalability and agility of our innovation. That, combined with the expertise of partners like Telstra, enables rights owners to potentially generate substantial incremental commercial returns and allows advertisers to connect with audiences in a new and meaningful way.”

TBS CEO Andreas Eriksson said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Supponor to bring virtual advertising to a wider audience. The success we’ve seen with the NHL, its teams, partners and audiences demonstrates the potential of this technology, and we’re excited to explore its possibilities in other sports around the world.”

Both Supponor and Telstra (Booth W3609) are at NAB Show 2023, from April 15-19 in Las Vegas, where you can learn more about this partnership. Get in touch to schedule a meeting here.