When the news was announced that Ziggo Sport had secured the exclusive media rights to all UEFA matches, a wave of enthusiasm swept through Ibi's team. "Everyone immediately understood that this was a wonderful opportunity to create something new and special. We will become the ‘Home of European club football’ or, even better, the ‘Home of sports’! And that’s the image we’re going to project too."
Immersive experience
As Creative Director of Ziggo Sport, Ibi is responsible for the look and feel of Ziggo Sport. "Designing and building a new studio is a huge collaborative project. Together with the directors, I determine what everything looks like ultimately. For this, we look at the experience for our viewers and the overall image of our brand. This is created through everything that can be seen on screen, from promos and graphics to how the sets, and even the beer mats on the table, look. Every detail has to be right."
Tangible tech
Sport is at the heart of the new studio. "We have chosen a bold concept, which is all about the experience: we want you, as viewer, to feel like you’re right there; as if you’re standing along the touchline yourself and can almost touch the players. And in the studio itself, we also want to create the kind of atmosphere and excitement that goes hand in hand with elite sport. We are using as much tangible technology as possible for this."
“Whereas everything was previously done with green screens – very high-tech and advanced when Ziggo Sport was the first company in the Netherlands to start using augmented reality – every corner of the studio now has a realistic appearance and we make use of all the possibilities offered by LED video displays. We draw the audience in, thus creating a real match atmosphere. And our commentators along the touchline are brought into the studio in razor-sharp detail on life-size screens. As a result of this, the presenter also feels completely immersed in the match. In this way, everything comes together and you also get a lifelike experience in your living room."
Magical feeling
You will already experience the new Ziggo Sport studio as being the ‘Home of sports' in the reception area, which is more like a cosy sports bar. "There are TVs and signed shirts everywhere. As you walk through to the studio, a magical feeling creeps up on you: as if you are entering a stadium. You really need some time to take it all in. There are spacious stands and a few lucky people get to be on the first floor, from where they can overlook all the action."
Matches in a row
The new studio is built to cover matches in a surprising and dynamic way. "The presenter and analysts can make digital analyses of match situations on a touchscreen desk. And via an elongated screen, we can bring multiple reporters from the stadium to the studio at the same time. As a presenter, you can walk from one reporter to the other and talk to them as if you were standing next to them. It all feels very natural, because you actually see them in all their life-size glory. If a goal is scored in Barcelona, you take a step to the side and you are right there. Action in Dortmund? 'Armin, what’s going on!'"
Breaking news!
Creating such a viewing experience requires a lot of technology. From super-sharp screens to lightning-fast live connections. "In addition, we add a lot of tech through a graphical layer. Match results will soon roll across your screen 'CNN-style’, as well as other important sports dates, such as where and when your favourite matches and races from UEFA European football, tennis and MotoGP will be shown. This is even more important, because we have so much content to bring."