Kansas City Royals Video Wall

With the large videowall and ability to display multiple streams afforded by the installation, the KC Royals team can show an array of content in a dynamic way to engage fans. “The new display allows us to put up to 10 different pieces of content across that footprint,” adds Brian. “We have live footage of the game displayed from a real time Brian Himstedt, Vice President of Technology and Business Analytics, KCR Just like anything with VITEC, it has been simple. I think the hardest issue we had was lining up 25 TV displays! The installation was straightforward; we did a parallel project to put in a VITEC channel encoder chassis which created more in-house channels than we previously had. Historically, we could only encode 4 internal channels, and now we can encode 24. broadcast feed. We’re also putting up any parallel sporting events going on at the same time – such as NBA, NHL, NFL or other baseball games. We also show a stream of the scoreboard, which you can’t see easily from that bar area. So, that gives the opportunity to show a lot of stats, and show some of the dynamic presentations that happen on the scoreboard. The videowall is also an asset that we position as available footprint for sponsors as we do with our existing IPTV system.” Multiple streams from the MLB can also be used in creative ways, such as showcasing isolated close-up streams of the batter and the pitcher, while also showing other broader angles of the field at the same timeframe for different perspectives.

With the videowall installation complete, anyone who has a ticket for the event is welcome to visit the sports bar. “It has definitely increased traffic in the bar,” adds Brian. “People can see it as they walk by, so it helps us from a food and beverage consumption standpoint. The other thing is it just makes that bar space more engaging. Previously, there was the possibility to look out and see a little bit of the field, and we had some smaller TVs that people could see the game on, but nothing nearly as dynamic as this. It creates a different mood in there, people are more connected to the event out on the field, and there’s more engagement in the bar.”

The KC Royals team also has plans to continually update the content throughout the seasons to ensure that fans remain engaged in the space. Should a sports betting bill be approved in Missouri, there are also plans to provide more statistical content in the bar area to suit this purpose. “We originally got set on one layout that we liked, but we’ll probably update that so that it looks new and fresh from game to game. To do so takes a little bit of refinement – you can get in to tweak one pixel here, one pixel there – then it’s literally one click of a button and the layout changes. Some people that come to games just want places to have a drink and have an entertaining experience with friends. We’re especially keen to attract a younger, more dynamic crowd, and we feel this will help.”