CENTRAL JERSEY: ESPN acquires image technology

Lawrence-based PVI rights also sold to Sportsvision

   ESPN has acquired substantially all of the intellectual property of Lawrence-based PVI Virtual Media Services. Certain rights to PVI’s imaging technology were also sold to Chicago-based Sportvision.
   Under this agreement, ESPN will hire substantially all of the highly-talented staff of engineers who have developed many of PVI’s virtual innovations. As a result of the transaction, ESPN will hold the rights to substantially all of PVI’s intellectual property including intellectual property, which relates to virtual insertion, player tracking, iTV applications as well as 3D graphics development, according to a release from ESPN.
   PVI Virtual Media Services created and provided real-time, vision-based, virtual image entertainment technology that enhances and transforms the television viewing experience. PVI’s patented technology allows broadcast, cable and broadband networks to insert computer-generated images into live or pre-recorded video broadcasts of events, sports contests and other television programming, said ESPN.
   ”This is another acquisition that augments ESPN’s leadership position in innovation and technology development,” said Chuck Pagano, executive vice president, ESPN technology. “PVI has developed some of the television industry’s leading virtual content, and now the addition of their engineering team will help ESPN continue to invent ground-breaking production enhancements for our fans.”
   ”PVI has changed the way people watch sports and entertainment with its virtual insertion technology and we have no doubt that ESPN, as a programming leader, will find new and exciting ways to use this groundbreaking technology to enhance their content even further for their viewers,” said Jay DiGiovanni, PVI general manager.
   In in the deal, privately-held, Chicago-based Sportvision, known for developing the “first-and- 10” graphic line marker in NFL broadcasts, has been granted a license to PVI’s library of issues patents and intellectual property, and additionally has acquired the rights to commercially provide all PVI products and services both domestically and internationally.
   ”Sportvision is a pioneer in delivering compelling viewing experiences for all major sports,” said Mr. DiGiovanni. “PVI’s groundbreaking virtual insertion technology will complement Sportvision’s current assets and help drive the development of new innovations that support their marketing partners’ efforts by further engaging sports fans.”
   One of the patents Sportvision bought was for imaging technology, which will allow them to make broadcast enhancements without being present at the game site, said Mike Jakob, president and COO of Sportvision. “We’re very excited; we’ve known PVI a long time and we’ve been trying to figure out how to get together for 10 years.”
   Sportvision and ESPN both bought intellectual property from PVI and established cross-license rights from each other.
   ”We’ve always had tremendous respect for PVI and their capabilities, and we’re thrilled to combine these complementary technologies and integrate PVI’s significant computer vision-based capabilities with our world-class tracking and sensor-based technologies,” said Hank Adams, CEO, Sportvision. “Our partners will benefit greatly, as we can offer them the most comprehensive end-to-end solution set in the global market.””
   Sportvision’s media partners will now have increased flexibility when delivering graphic enhancements and virtual advertising to their viewers, via PVI’s sophisticated in-studio insertion system. PVI technology allows sports broadcasters to insert enhancements, such as the iconic yellow first-and-10 line in-studio, reducing the need for technical staff and equipment on location at an event and an in-studio insertion system that can be more efficient for networks to implement during event telecasts.
   ”Complementing our current product suite with this unique computer-vision technology augments our ability to deliver richer fan experiences,” added Mr. Adams.