Racing Queensland goes to air with RT Software’s Tactic Live
London UK, 31 August 2022 – Racing Queensland has recently gone on air with RT Software’s Tactic Live for their innovative Trot Rods harness racing. They are now able to show a range of virtual graphics which are rendered live over their racing broadcasts to enhance the action for the fast growing audience.
The project was put together by PSP, who worked with Racing Queensland to deliver the solution. Tony Barletta, Company Director, explains, “Racing Queensland is a business that is constantly evolving and innovating. They have brought this new Trot Rods concept to the racing market and it’s been a huge success. Once the concept was proven to be commercially viable, Racing Queensland wanted to improve the levels of presentation to enhance the action for the audience. They were looking to add live timing, sponsorship graphics and distance markers, which all have to be keyed over live video in a range of lighting conditions, which can be challenging. One feature that has gone down really well is the previous best time marker. It’s a live line marker showing the previous best time that moves with the action as the riders approach the finish line. It makes it really clear how far off the pace the current racers are.
“We looked at all the big names in broadcast graphics, but there were a couple of stand out reasons to go for RT Software. They had all their own software technology in house, whereas some other vendors depended on external providers. We really needed to keep things simple, so this was a big advantage for us. Plus they took a real partnership approach for the proof of concept phase and offered attractive financing.
“We knew RT software are leaders in their field, and they were able to show us previous similar projects that also gave us confidence we were making the right choice.”
Tony continues, “Our additional challenge was that the project was started when the Covid pandemic was preventing travel, but RT Software were great and carried on delivering the proof of concept for us completely remotely. This allowed our customer to see how it would work and have confidence in what they were investing in. It was quickly signed off and then the full working system was also installed remotely.
“We’re really pleased with the robustness of the system and how quickly we can set it up. We move the system between different venues, so we rely on it working first time. Recalibrating only takes a few minutes and then we’re good to go.”
David Brick is Senior Racing Manager at Racing Queensland, “Innovation has been at the forefront of our broadcast coverage in recent years. This includes the introduction of driver cam; drone vision; telemetry; and race caller to driver interviews. With the TAB Trot Rods continuing to turn heads, we wanted to explore new ways to bring our product to television audiences including new on-screen graphics. In particular, the line-to-beat was well received and we look forward to continuing to enhance our broadcast product.”
Mike Fredriksen, Commercial Director at RT Software, “This was a great project to work on, despite the complications of Covid. We put a lot of emphasis on the personal relationship we build with customers and it’s great to hear that Tony at PSP and David at Racing Queensland are seeing such positive results from this collaboration.”
About RT Software:
RT Software is a leading worldwide provider of real-time graphics solutions. Its product set spans CG, template-driven graphic overlays, election and newsroom graphics, specialist sports graphics and virtual studios. From its beginnings as an offshoot of the BBC 3D Graphics Department in 2004, the company now has installations from Iceland to New Zealand, and its growing customer base includes the BBC, Sky Sports, Fox Sports, BT Sport and many other Tier 1 broadcasters.
About Panasonic Studio Productions (PSP):
Panasonic Studio Productions (PSP) is an outside broadcast service provider for the Racing Queensland thoroughbred, harness and greyhound industry, delivering live productions across all platforms to Sky Racing and Free to Air networks. The family business was established over 35 years ago and has been part of the changing landscape of the outside broadcast market. Our team is passionate about delivering high end, innovative productions day in and day out across the state of Queensland. Our 4 HD facilities can cater from four to twelve camera chains, manned and unmanned, wireless systems, live slow-motion replays, onsite talent services, onboard cameras, integration of live graphic systems and race day stewarding review facilities. Along with the HD OB vehicles, we operate a Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) facility, live streaming options and production services for yearling sale videos.
About Racing Queensland:
Racing Queensland is a tri-code governing body, responsible for harness, thoroughbred and greyhound racing in the state of Queensland, Australia. Its functions include funding, maintaining rule books (in conjunction with national bodies for each code of racing), racing and handicapping, animal welfare, licencing race clubs, training and education, marketing/promotions and broadcasting. Racing Queensland’s vision is to become the number 1 sporting industry in the Sunshine State connecting Queenslanders through great racing events and the love of our animal.
To find out more about, please contact:
Press Contacts
RT Software
Technical Product Marketing Manager
Luke Harrison
luke.harrison@rtsw.co.uk
RT Software Ltd
Unit 6, Hurlingham Business Park
Sulivan Road
London
SW6 3DU
eMarketing Manager
Settar Kose
settar.kose@rtsw.co.uk
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7384 2711
Web: www.rtsw.co.uk
