Lega Serie A, the governing body of the top tier of Italian football, has approved Interregional Sports Group’s (ISG) virtual-graphics solution for matches that will be played in empty stadia due to COVID-19 restrictions.
ISG has been selected following a testing programme which saw the league identify the best virtual-graphics solution for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, which will be played behind closed doors.
ISG and its local production partner, Netco Sports Italy, will provide the solution for the remaining eight rounds of fixtures this season.
As part of the agreement, ISG will deploy virtual centre-pitch logos of club partners before the match, at half-time and ahead of the second half kick-off. As a result, all empty stands at Serie A matches will be filled with graphics and colours of competing teams, but only at selected times.
Simon Burgess, joint chief executive and co-founder of ISG, said: “Lega Serie A are a world leader and innovator in virtual media in live broadcast. We have been working with Lega for many years and are extremely proud to continue to invest in and support new virtual media solutions in these challenging times.”
Burgess added: “Our prime objectives are maximising ROI for brands and delivering optimum revenue impact for rights holders, while never compromising the enjoyment of the live event for the viewing audience.
“We have been working more and more directly with Serie A clubs, using our expertise to find other ways in which we can help them increase their revenues and make best use of their stadium infrastructure to create new virtual media spaces and platforms, whilst balancing those key criteria.”
ISG has a long-standing relationship with Netco, which produces all Serie A broadcast graphics. Netco also supports ISG on its International Presenting Sponsor package, which incorporates regional sponsorship packages.
Image: ISG
