WTA Media needed a full redesign and graphics workflow overhaul in advance of the 2017 season. The goal was to create a new design, rebuild their real-time graphics data architecture to improve data automation, and simplify the workflow for all WTA tournaments.
As part of a three-year deal, RCS lended its graphics expertise and technology to 29 annual WTA Media tennis broadcasts starting with the 2017 season. WTA Media is a joint venture between leading digital sports content and media powerhouse Perform Group and the Women’s Tennis Association. RCS’ partnership with WTA Media launched January 1, 2017 at the Shenzhen Open where the broadcast featured a full slate of new data-driven graphics created by RCS and powered by its technology solutions.
Prior to the tournament, RCS designed and built all of the match graphics for WTA Media’s world feed, including opens, full screens and more; developed custom control and real-time scoring apps; and created a talent and production stats display. To facilitate graphics control and playout, RCS built mobile graphics flypacks that traveled to each tournament. Each system was integrated with RCS’ Foundation data service, and received and processed data from WTA Media’s data aggregator, Umpire PDAs and WTA’s historical database, for use in real-time graphics production. RCS graphics operators provided a production assist for all 29 annual remote tournaments; an additional 26 locally produced tournaments also leveraged RCS’ services and solutions.
“Our deal with WTA marks the largest yet in the history of women’s sports, so naturally we wanted to take our production value to the next level. Having worked with RCS on DAZN and other projects, we knew they could help us make a big splash with high-end graphics that complement the players and the game,” shared, John Learing, MD, WTA Media. “They’ve done an amazing job and we look forward to working with them to improve the quality of our coverage even further.”
“WTA is home to some of the most amazing tennis talent, and we wanted to give its tournament productions the attention and respect they deserve with a modern look and feel,” shared RCS EMEA Managing Director Mike Ward. “WTA Media made this easy and fun. Channeling their passion for the sport and working with both the WTA Media and Perform teams, we were able to deliver an efficient yet compelling package that tennis fans will love.”
RCS worked with WTA Media to rethink their entire graphics workflow for the 2017 season. RCS developed a full redesign, animation and real-time graphics package, custom control and real-time scoring applications.
