NTTSportict Links With Pixellot for Video Content Production, Distribution

Pixellot has entered into a strategic partnership to provide its AI-Automated solutions to NTTSportict, a new company that was formed by NTT West and Asahi Broadcasting Group HD in Japan. The new company will provide video content production and distribution to sports facilities and organizations, based exclusively on Pixellot’s technology.

“We are proud to have Pixellot as our partner in bringing automated production to semi-pro and local leagues” said Masatoshi Nakamura, President of NTTSportict. ”After conducting extensive trials in several leagues, we concluded that Pixellot is the leading technology for our long-term plans. We are moving forward to increase local sports coverage to ensure that every team and player can get the exposure that they deserve while providing communities and teams with the ability to engage at a high level, watching live games, replays and sharing game and player highlights.”

In recent years, the Japanese domestic sports market has been rapidly expanding. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, it is expected to reach 15.2 Trillion Yen ($136B) by 2025. In parallel, the sports video distribution market is expected to reach 86.3B Yen ($770M) by then. The new company plans to contribute to the development of sports competitions and amateur sports in metropolitan as well as rural areas.

“We are happy to have been chosen as the providers of the technology that will be powering the coverage of local leagues in Japan” said Alon Werber, CEO of Pixellot. ”The ability to broadcast games live will enable local and amateur sports to come out of the current crisis and develop the leagues. Players and clubs will connect on a much higher level with their fan base. The foresight of our partners to put this technology in place will be a major factor in helping society return to normal after the pandemic passes.”

Several sports associations also welcomed the news:

• The Nara Football Association who participated in trials last year announced: “We will transform games into valuable content so that everyone in Japan can enjoy local sports!”.
• The Kumamoto Prefecture Handball Association stated: “This will create a world where more and more people can enjoy handball games, that take place in rural areas.”
• The Japan Ice Hockey Federation added: “We will look forward to creating new value for athletes and fans.”