Industry news: Tata Communications becomes exclusive video distribution partner for MotoGP & WorldSBK
Tata Communications, a leading provider of A New World of Communications™, has been selected by Dorna Sports as the exclusive video distribution partner for the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship and the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK). Tata Communications will distribute the motorcycle road racing action from five continents to over 80 media partners, reaching over 200 million households, using its global superfast fibre and satellite network. This partnership will enable Dorna to capitalise on the opportunities that the latest digital technology advancements bring, as people’s evolving content consumption habits continue to shape the sports industry.
As part of the new partnership, Tata Communications and Dorna will collaborate on several innovation projects involving technologies such as low-latency Ultra-High Definition (UHD), 360º and live OTT video feeds, as well as remote production and High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) imaging, enabled by Tata Communications’ Media Ecosystem. This ecosystem, including the Video Connect service, combines traditional video contribution services and IP connectivity in a global cloud-based platform. It will allow Dorna to manage and distribute MotoGP™ and WorldSBK video feeds from any location to any device in perfect synchronicity. By eliminating the common lag with OTT content delivery, Tata Communications’ Media Ecosystem ensures a truly real-time and interactive race experience for fans, whether they are watching the action on TV or a mobile device.
To ensure a seamless viewing experience regardless of location, and bring fans high-quality racing content across different platforms, Tata Communications will connect each of the 18 MotoGP™ locations using its global superfast network, and double the network capacity currently available to Dorna. This bandwidth boost will ensure the reliable distribution of live video feeds, consisting of footage from the track and 360º on-board cameras as well as commentary, on a global scale. It will also enable Dorna to handle many of its broadcast operations remotely from a newly-built media hub in Barcelona, Spain.
Dorna’s media partners producing live programmes from the circuits will also use Tata Communications’ network for global video delivery.
Tata Communications’ media, cloud and connectivity services are underpinned by the world’s largest subsea fibre network of its kind, creating a fully-converged, end-to-end solution for Dorna.
“This partnership with Tata Communications represents a new, exciting step in how we manage the distribution of each race to our broadcast partners worldwide,” said Manel Arroyo, Managing Director at Dorna Sports. “We will use the company’s global media, connectivity and cloud capabilities to bring together the different parts of our broadcast operations. This, coupled with Tata Communications’ experience in the high-pressure world of motorsports, will strengthen our ability to give MotoGP™ and WorldSBK fans the high-quality, exhilarating viewing experiences they crave.”
“There is a huge opportunity for sports to bring fans closer to the action through technologies such as UHD and live OTT video,” said Brian Morris, Vice President and General Manager, Global Media and Entertainment Services at Tata Communications. “Yet, all these innovations rely on global superfast connectivity over fibre. We look forward to working with Dorna to bring the excitement of each race of the 2017 season to people around the world, and exploring together new services to quench fans’ thirst for more immersive racing experiences in the future.”
Source: motogp.com
