VITEC’s plug-and-play solution was ideal for this project, with its ability to easily integrate with other third-party systems and manage delivery of all video content from a central location, as well as locally in each supporters’ lounge. What’s more, Liverpool FC can easily add displays to the system, wherever there is a network connection.”
— Colin Farquhar,
SVP Sales, VITEC
Flexibility and Power
Following a successful implementation project, the new digital video and signage solution is delivering an enhanced level of visual quality, reliability and features for both staff and supporters at Anfield stadium.
Background
Home to one of the English Premier League’s most iconic football clubs, Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium underwent a major redevelopment scheme in 2016.
By adding 8,500 seats to the Main Stand, Liverpool FC now boasts one of the largest all-seater single stands in European football, within a ground capable of holding 54,000 fans, along with first class VIP, hospitality and executive conference facilities.
The Challenge
With a history spanning 124 years, Anfield is the tenth largest sports stadium in the United Kingdom and the home ground of Liverpool FC since its formation in 1892. In common with football clubs across the country, demand for season tickets has grown over the years, prompting Liverpool and many other clubs to extend capacity through new or enlarged stadiums. To ensure the match day experience fulfils the needs of fans, Liverpool FC has added additional features such as improved access for wheelchair users, high-speed Wi-Fi and a complete suite of video display monitors across the stadium.
The displays are used for streaming live match footage, video from LFC TV (Liverpool FC’s official TV channel), broadcasting sports channels, and displaying advertising content and match day information. As part of the redevelopment project, Liverpool FC decided to upgrade the capability of its displays to deliver better quality and more features, including the ability to quickly change content to meet the requirements of guests across its hospitality suites, press box and corporate offices.
A key requirement was for an integrated system with the flexibility to deliver a variety of branded content, including individual menu boards at food counters, all the way through to live premium channels in its executive boxes. The solution needed to be managed centrally, with complete synchronisation to ensure all supporters could watch the same feed throughout the venue
The Solution
Based on these requirements, Liverpool FC selected a VITEC (originally Exterity, acquired by VITEC in 2021), IP video system, deployed by AV integrator, Lumino AV. The heart of the VITEC solution includes AvediaStream® Gateways for delivering Freeview TV channels to screens around the stadium and AvediaStream e3655 Encoders to stream the LFC TV channel direct from its in-house production studio across the network to every screen in the ground. A VITEC AvediaServer® provides central management of the IPTV system and delivers TV, video and digital signage to the right screens at the right time across the stadium.
A bank of VITEC AvediaStream e3635 Encoders delivers digital signage content from the Signagelive players as multicast channels. This makes efficient use of the stadium-wide IP network and ensures that the right content is playing on each screen. Across the ground, each of the 598 Samsung screens is connected to an AvediaStream Media Player End-Point, delivering synchronised HD TV and video from multiple sources.
“Live TV, video and digital signage are an integral part of the instadium experience these days, and we wanted to ensure that we offered the most advanced service possible following the expansion of the stadium,” said Lyndon Tudor, Technical Services Manager at Liverpool FC. “By deploying the VITEC IP video system and integrating it with our digital signage solution, we can also manage our content and messages at scale. When you have almost 600 on-site screens, you really want to make sure your system is easy to manage, a promise that VITEC has consistently delivered on.”
The system enables the Premier League football club to:
- Provide a first-class fan experience with state-of-the-art digital communications
- Showcase Anfield Stadium and the brand new Main Stand
- Distribute live and recorded content to 600 screens on-site
- Manage its integrated IP video and digital signage infrastructure via mobile devices
The Results
Following a successful implementation project, the new digital video and signage solution is delivering an enhanced level of visual quality, reliability and features for both staff and supporters at Anfield stadium. The VITEC system displays live TV, video and digital signage on just under 600 screens, showcasing the latest news, exclusive interviews, videos, live commentary and match highlights via a number of channels, including LFC TV, Sky Sports HD, BT Sport HD and Freeview. The tight integration with Signagelive makes it simple for administrators to quickly modify signage content and deliver it to any location across the stadium using web-based tools on a desktop PC or mobile tablet.
Across Liverpool FC’s numerous executive boxes and lounges, screens can be set up to display any video source or signage requirement. Members of the press box also have the ability to quickly select relevant channels. The VITEC system features unitto-unit synchronisation — a vital consideration for the deployment given the number of side-by-side screens in each location.
As well as having central control through the VITEC AvediaServer, stadium administrators use the VITEC Avedia Remote Web app on their iPads and smartphones to quickly change channels or select different video sources for each or all of the screens in different hospitality areas.
“Liverpool FC offers an experience that highlights the flexibility and power of a modern IP video and digital signage solution within a stadium environment,” commented , SVP Sales, VITEC, Colin Farquhar. “The mix of video, display, cloud-based and on-premise technologies enables the club to tailor its content easily while providing future-proof capabilities, allowing them to deliver new services and features over time.”
Related VITEC Success Stories
VITEC’s EZ TV IPTV & Digital Signage Solution Delivers Best in the Field…
VITEC’s EZ TV IPTV & Digital Signage Solution Delivers Best in the Field Game-Day Coverage and Advertising Opportunity for Minnesota’s Allianz Field
Minnesota United Allianz Field
We wanted to deliver the very best experience to our fans as well as our operators and advertising staff who need to be able to quickly, easily, and reliably distribute not only the game-day feed to every screen but ensure that we are successfully deploying attention-grabbing content to every screen. It’s a complex job, but VITEC’s IPTV EZ TV and Digital Signage Platform integrates all these capabilities into one program. It exceeded our operational and technological vision. With the power of VITEC, Allianz Field is one the best, most technologically advanced soccer stadiums in the world.
— Cole Mayer
Production Engineer, Minnesota United
VITEC’s EZ TV IPTV and Digital Signage Platform Delivers Unprecedented User…
VITEC’s EZ TV IPTV and Digital Signage Platform Delivers Unprecedented User Experience and Fan Engagement in Sacramento Kings’ New Arena - Golden 1 Center
Sacramento Kings
“VITEC’s EZ TV IPTV and digital signage solution helps us enhance the fan experience like never before and truly sets the Golden 1 Center apart from other venues. Viewers don’t have to worry when they leave their seats because we’ve optimized every screen in the arena with the help of VITEC’s innovative solution. From corporate events, to concerts, to Sacramento Kings basketball games, we are able to dynamically create video-rich signage campaigns that are perfectly synchronized and visually captivating.”
Ryan Montoya
Chief Technology Officer
Sacramento Kings
VITEC IP video extends fan engagement at The Open championship.
VITEC IP video extends fan engagement at The Open championship.
The Open
“We chose Exterity a number of years ago when we needed a robust IP video solution that adapted to the particular environment of live events. As our clients continue to grow, it was crucial for us that our provider remained ahead of the curve, which is a strong USP for Exterity. Having Sky now delivering the tournament in HD has proved a great opportunity to extend the onsite video capabilities along with new end-to-end HDCP encryption to ensure the security of all content for the rights holder.”
Jason Hall,
C3i Group
VITEC IP Video Solution Creates Immersive In-Stadium Experience for TSG 1899…
VITEC IP Video Solution Creates Immersive In-Stadium Experience for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Football Fans
TSG Hoffenheim
"TSG 1899 Hoffenheim wanted an in-stadium experience to match the high-quality football being played on the pitch. Video is playing a fundamental role in transforming the fan experience during live events, and we are delighted that our IP video solution will deliver high-quality video streaming to many football fans.”
Colin Farquhar,
CEO Exterity