Major League Baseball Teams Up With Cisco TelePresence

Posted by KBZ Blogging Team

Professional sports are embracing telepresence and digital video delivery at a more rapid rate in order to help reach a fanbase that is increasingly internet-savvy. Major League Baseball and Cisco recently announced a long-term agreement to help modernize MLB’s media efforts through a fully modern video technology infrastructure. Cisco’s state-of-the-art video and communications technologies will complement Major League Baseball’s current sports content and give it new and interactive avenues for bringing spectators that much closer to the action.

One of the key components of MLB’s partnership with Cisco is the implementation of Cisco TelePresence in the context of the “Intentional Talk” television program broadcast on the MLB Network. Cisco TelePresence will allow hosts Chris Rose and Kevin Millar to run the show as though they were in the same studio even when they are located in their respective Texas and California home bases. The show will maintain the same type of face-to-face banter and conversation that is a key aspect of the program’s format.

Cisco will also continue to support the network of robotic cameras that it has installed in 29 Major League ballparks. The Cisco Ballpark Cams provide an in-depth view of the game from a variety of angles that give fans an immersive experience that would not be possible if relying exclusively on traditional human camera operators. Small enough to creep into the dugout, be a fly on the outfield wall or crouch behind the umpire at home plate, the Cisco Ballpark Cams offer the MLB Network complete access to almost every single game on the schedule thanks to Cisco’s robust video delivery network.

Major League Baseball couldn’t be happier with its partnership with Cisco, with executive vice president Bill Morningstar stating that “Cisco is best in class in everything they do…MLB Network is excited to welcome Cisco as an integral part of the newest addition to our programming lineup (Intentional Talk).” Cisco’s emergence as the go-to video and telepresence provider of choice for professional sports organizations is a clear indicator of the company’s ability to present versatile and adaptive digital video solutions across a wide range of different requirements.

Benjamin Hunting
KBZ Blogging Team