More on ESPN's New Media Tech

Here is more info on the new enhancements ESPN expects to unveil this season:

"With our successful FIFA World Cup experience and long-term commitment to soccer, the next natural step is to establish MLS Primetime Thursday as the premier weekly soccer telecast that will attract new fans to the sport and retain its core, passionate base," said Tim Scanlan, ESPN senior coordinating producer, remote productions. Scanlan spearheaded ESPN's 2006 FIFA World Cup production, which was just nominated for a 2007 Emmy Awards in the "Live Special" category.

The in-game enhancements will debut Saturday, April 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC during the 2007 MLS season-opening match – DC United at Colorado Rapids – from Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. ESPN2 will debut these innovations Thursday, March 12 from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. – site for the FC Dallas at Los Angeles Galaxy match and premiere of MLS Primetime Thursday.

Highlights of ESPN's 2007 MLS Primetime Thursday production enhancements:

• Kick Trax: A virtual replay device that displays on-screen the trajectory and placement of set pieces (free-, direct- and indirect-kicks) in a match. It also provides the distance of key crosses and long passes including hang-time on goal-kicks. It will be used as a telestrator by the analyst in explaining in-game strategies on critical plays. Kick Trax also features a "radar gun" system – much like in baseball – that will measure and provide the speed of key shots and set pieces. [I think this could be a nice visual if not overdone. See previous blog entry for a link to an example.]

• Offside Line: A key replay technology which displays a virtual line affixed to the last defender to show the viewer whether the referee’s offside decision is accurate. [This is a pretty simple enhancement, but nice to have to support our armchair reffing.]

• SkyCam: A staple of ESPN’s many award-winning telecasts – NFL, college football and MLB – SkyCam will return on a more regular basis than in 2006 to provide aerial views of the field, giving fans a unique angle to appreciate the development and speed of match action. MLS Primetime Thursday will be the only soccer telecast using this aerial, remote and mobile camera. [This does provide some nice perspectives on the on-field play and overall buildup of an attack.]

• New Graphics: MLS Primetime Thursday on ESPN2 will feature new, enhanced graphics consistent with ESPN’s top-tier programming series, such as Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Baseball, NBA on ABC, NASCAR and college football. [No futuristic robo-soccer players, m'kay? Leave that to the NFL.]

• Access: Throughout the season, MLS Primetime Thursday’s sideline reporter will have unprecedented access on the touchline for in-game, halftime and post-game reports. [Personally, I don't like the in-game sideline interviews of the coaches. We don't gain any candid insight (unless Dom is talking and the ref is slacking!) and the coach is distracted. Save it for the pre-game, halftime, and post-game periods.]