SPORTSMEDIA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION RENEWS CONTRACT WITH ESPN FOR NASCAR EVENTS
SportsMEDIA Enhances ESPN’s NASCAR Broadcasts Using Its Data Matrix (DMX) Switchboard™
Technology
DURHAM, N.C.─FEBRUARY 22, 2010 - SportsMEDIA Technology Corporation,
the award-winning provider of graphics, statistics and video enhancement solutions,
today announced a contract renewal with ESPN covering the telecasts of NASCAR events
through 2014. Under the terms of the contract, SportsMEDIA will continue as ESPN’s
data and graphics integration and presentation partner for all of ESPN’s telecasts
of NASCAR events for the next five years. SportsMEDIA will continue to provide multiple
SportsMEDIA graphics and display products to ESPN under the contract.
SportsMEDIA’s DMX Switchboard, the core technology behind all of SportsMEDIA’s graphics
and display products, synchronizes multiple live real-time data sources with historical
statistics and graphic assets to create a single SportsMEDIA comprehensive on-site
information database for ESPN. SportsMEDIA’s DMX Switchboard also provides multiple
real-time interface ports for the publication of SportsMEDIA’s on-site content to
multiple on-air and off-air display devices. All DMX Switchboard interface ports
are configurable based upon the type of device plugging into the Switchboard. DMX
interface ports can provide access to content in four different ways, including
on a request basis, by continually pushing content to display devices, by receiving
real-time data and by importing files of archived data and graphics.
In a typical ESPN NASCAR broadcast, SportsMEDIA’s DMX Switchboard is configured to
support up to six inputs and up to 20 outputs. Each device that plugs into the DMX
Switchboard services a different audience’s need for access to on-site data. As
an example, SportsMEDIA’s Interactive Touch-screen Electronic Media Guides serve
on-air talent and announcers, while SportsMEDIA’s Autograph®” device generates the
constant on-air “crawl” of information that appears to the viewer at home. Other
SportsMEDIA supplied devices service the needs of the backstage ESPN production
team in crafting the best show possible.
“SportsMEDIA is delighted to continue our long-standing and very successful partnership
with ESPN on both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series,” said Gerard J. Hall, president
of SportsMEDIA. “Working with ESPN on NASCAR is like working with NASA on the space
program -- both environments are hyper-challenging and demand sound technical solutions.
The process of meeting these demands inevitably generates and incubates cutting-edge
technology that can be spun-off and applied to other areas. We look forward to this
mutually beneficial phenomenon continuing.”
SportsMEDIA has been providing service to ESPN’s NASCAR broadcasts since 1991. The
2010 NASCAR season kicked off on the weekend of February 13, 2010 with Speedweek
at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida.
About SportsMEDIA Technology Corporation
SportsMEDIA Technology Corporation, headquartered in Durham, NC, is a leading provider
of graphics, statistics and video enhancement software and services for live television
sports broadcast networks. Founded in 1988, SportsMEDIA pioneered the first real-time
scoring and wireless data system. SportsMEDIA continues to develop and deliver customized
products and services to enhance the production quality and viewers’ experience
of sporting events. The company has won 15 Emmy awards since 1993. SportsMEDIA’s
solutions have been used at the most prestigious sporting events including the Super
Bowl, NBC Sunday Night Football, the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA Final Four, the
Kentucky Derby, ESPN Summer and Winter X Games, NBA on TNT, NASCAR and NHL. SportsMEDIA’s
customers include all major broadcast television companies as well as several regional
and specialty sports networks. For more information, visit
www.sportsmedia.com.
About SportsMEDIA’s Data Matrix Switchboard
SportsMEDIA’s DMX Switchboard was created to meet the rigorous demands of NASCAR
on ESPN. The DMX Switchboard has since developed into the core technology behind
the products and services SportsMEDIA provides to ESPN’s X-Games, the Super Bowl,
the Indy Racing League, the Kentucky Derby and multiple Studio Shows
Media Contact:
Patricia Hopkins
SportsMEDIA Technology Corporation
p.hopkins@sportsmedia.com
919-493-9390 x351