Tony Reali on the set of the new Around the Horn studio in New York. (Photo by Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ESPN Images)
ESPN afternoon talk show Around The Horn is moving to a new studio in New York City on Nov. 5 where the new location will integrate augmented reality. The four daily panelists will participate on virtual screens that appear to be inside the show.
While the show will still be produced from the ABC News Bureau in Washington, D.C., host Tony Reali will appear in ESPN’s New York Seaport District Studios. National media pundits who discuss the day’s headlines as guests will join Reali via AR. Around the Horn debuted 16 years ago on Nov. 4, 2002.
This new effort is a joint project between ESPN’s Remote Production Operations unit, its Creative Services Motion Graphics Design, and the DCTI Technology group. The AR is created with Mo-Sys camera tracking technology, Vizrt rendering engines, and computer animated design.
“Virtual reality or augmented reality is something that has existed on various platforms, including ESPN, but Around The Horn is going to be the first domestic U.S. show to integrate—fully integrate—augmented reality into the entire length of the 30-minute presentation,” said Mike Foss, senior director of remote production operations at ESPN, in a promotional video.
ATH guests receive (and lose) points, at Reali’s discretion, throughout the show. Their images on set can change size and move while Reali can react with social media-inspired filters.
“Augmented reality is something we’ve wanted to try for years. A show with an impeccable scoring system and an immaculately wielded mute button just begs for that type of total immersion. The technology of this studio will take the video-game element of Around The Horn to the next level while also enhancing the debate and interplay of our panel. I’m also looking forward to the new touchscreen console and moving around a bit, which will add to the pace and energy of the show.”
SportTechie Takeaway
Around The Horn long ago embraced communication technology to replicate the feel of a studio show with disparate panelists. This new use of AR should only enhance the feeling of connection with the talking heads despite their remote locations from the physical studio.
