How live streaming and coronavirus have changed the way we watch football

BeSoccer 4 years ago 1.4k |

Reading time: minutes

Live streaming through AI has allowed new competitions to be broadcast. BeSoccer

The coronavirus pandemic which hit the world in early 2020 meant clubs lost much needed revenue from gate money. The 'new football' with fans banned from stadia meant clubs and leagues had to find new ways to broadcast their content. Live streaming through AI is possible thanks to Pixellot and we give you more information about them.

Most football fans prefer watching their team live at the ground, but COVID-19 has seen spectators barred from stadia in most countries for at least 12 months. While the major leagues have managed to broadcast all their matches on television, the smaller clubs and leagues have turned to other technologies to allow fans to watch their games.

Live streaming has become more common in recent years, but there has always been one problem, operating costs. However, Pixellot allows matches to be broadcast without the need for cameramen, producers and other key people who are required to make a broadcast possible. Pixellot uses Artificial Intelligence in a camera to track the ball, which means a human does not have to be paid to move it around.

Pixellot not only moves the camera around, but it also includes a scoreboard, number of minutes gone and team names, just like when you watch the game on the television. It works even in poor lighting and streams even with low bandwidth. The technology permits leagues even on low budgets to broadcast their content online and allow people to watch on the go on their laptops or smartphones, for example.

As most smaller competitions depend on largely on gate money, the lack of fans present has meant clubs in these leagues have been forced to look at other ways to broadcast their content and make money. Live streaming is the perfect alternative. The Polish third tier are broadcasting 100 games through OTT's thanks to Pixellot this season and more than 250 are planned for next term.

Pixellot produces and streams approximately 80,000 live matches monthly from all over the world and there is not a single camera operator. The company was founded in 2013 by Gal Oz and its aim is to keep on growing. Pixellot currently work with clubs such as Real Sociedad, Celtic and Benfica, major television companies such as ESPN and football competitions like the Mexican and Scottish league.

For clubs, the technology is fantastic as the tactical camera view also lets coaches analyse team performances perfectly. "The quality of the Pixellot video is unparalleled," Celtic's Head of Analysis Craig Dunbar says.

Even though the pandemic has led to very different times for people and businesses alike, one positive to take away from it is the increase in live streaming. Leagues which begin to live stream as a result of the pandemic may well see it as the future even after coronavirus is all over. COVID-19 may well have changed the way we watch football forever.