The virtual studio has a small physical footprint but provides an expansive virtual space with four operational areas

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Racing TV has unveiled a new virtual studio, designed to “take horseracing TV coverage to the next level.”

The virtual studio has been built at the home of the Racing TV channel, at Ealing Studios, and has been created in collaboration with its tech services provider Timeline TV and broadcast graphics and virtual studios specialist, MOOV.

It uses virtual technology from Unreal Engine and Brainstorm InfinitySet, originating from the gaming industry.

The small (6m x 6m) space appears expansive in its virtual guise, with four operational areas. The Mo-Sys StarTracker system enables extra flexibility in camera angles, and the types of cameras, even jibs, that can be in the studio.

Racing TV is a horseracing channel (Sky 426, Virgin 536, Apple TV) that broadcasts racing from 35 British racecourses and 26 Irish racecourses.

The virtual studio will work as a hub, bringing in all of Racing TV’s race-day feeds, with reporters at every course, creating a ‘watch together’ racing community experience.

From today, the presentation of races will be from the virtual studio, starting with Mark Your Card, and followed by racing from Exeter, Warwick and Dundalk Stadium, plus The Friday Club at 5.30pm.

The virtual has four specific zones:

  • a main presentation desk for a panel of up to three guests per live programme
  • a stand-up position with augmented reality big screen, to integrate data and analysis into panel discussions
  • timing information data area for analytical shows such as The Verdict
  • a panoramic area for festival coverage and the new home for shows such as the flagship Luck on Sunday.

Adam Binns, director of broadcast and production at Racecourse Media Group [the umbrella organisation for the 34 racecourses which hold an interest in Racing TV], said: “The studio will enable Racing TV to deliver immersive and interactive horseracing presentation coverage to our audiences.

“The virtual and augmented reality environment helps us to keep the racing fraternity closely linked on an ongoing basis and will be the perfect platform for video-conferencing and other remote tools, which are so vital now. We are very grateful for all the support and expertise which Timeline TV and MOOV have contributed to the project.”

David Harnett, head of operations at Timeline added: “This has been a hugely collaborative project between RMG, MOOV and Timeline TV. Racing TV required a studio that would be flexible and adaptable to allow them to create different sets for a variety of their horseracing shows.

“We already work alongside MOOV at BT Sport’s Broadcast Centre, so we had no hesitation in collaborating with them and relied on their expertise and knowledge to deliver a truly immersive and innovative virtual reality studio.”

Nev Appleton, co-founder of MOOV, said: “As we enter our 21st year, we are delighted to have worked with the Timeline team to create and deliver such an exciting and innovative virtual studio for Racing TV, which will further enrich the experience for all racing fans.

“Racecourse Media Group are focused on expanding the multi-platform presence of horse racing to help grow the sport in the UK and Ireland and this is something the MOOV and Timeline team are passionate about supporting.”

IMAGE: Racing TV’s Rachel Casey presents from the new Racing TV studio