The British Basketball League is set to lead the way in automated TV production in the UK starting with an Eagles game next month.

Should the tests and December pilot game be successful, the League will be the first professional sports league in the UK to employ the technology for TV broadcast purposes.

Over the past 12 months BBL has been working closely with a number of technology providers, testing systems and advising manufacturers on its requirements for broadcast partner, clubs and the sport, which have resulted in refinements making it possible to televise a game using an automated camera system.

We are excited to announce that the first professional league game to use this new technology will feature our Esh Group Eagles Newcastle when we take on the DBL Sharks Sheffield away at the English Institute of Sport on Friday 14 December.

This ground-breaking game will be broadcast live for free on the BBL website.

The ‘SmartCourt’ system, (which includes both hardware and software) has been developed in Israel by leading technology company, PlaySight and is currently being installed for the BBL test in conjunction with our media partner, The Perform Group and BBL TV production partner, Televideo.

Using 4K cameras and artificial intelligence software with basketball-specific algorithms, the innovative system has the option to add manned cameras for on-court interviews, includes automated multi-angle cameras with commentators, graphics, integrated scoreboard and clock, video on demand and video assistant referee, automated highlight packages, social media clips, as well as live video for coaching and fans.

It is hoped that if the pilot is a success and the ‘SmartCourt’ system is installed at our new Eagles Community Arena in the new year then our Academy and WBBL teams will also be able to benefit from the performance analysis and video streaming capabilities.

You can find out more about this announcement today on the BBL website.