Ross Video acquires Piero Sports Graphics system

Ross Video has acquired the sports graphics system Piero from Red Bee Media.

Piero is an award-winning sports broadcast analysis product that’s capable of creating new angles and virtual views of sports events through 3D graphics and image recognition.

It’s also used by sports clubs as a coaching tool.

Piero grew out of a research project from BBC R&D back in 2004, with the aim being to create ”graphics that made sense from an editorial perspective.” The core technology was licensed to Red Bee Media who created the Piero product, which was then used for the first time on Match of the Day.

In 2016, BT Sport was announced as the first customer of the new Piero Augmented Reality (AR) software.

Ross says the Piero product range fits “nicely into Ross Video’s sports solutions portfolio”, giving the company an advanced sports analysis graphics package.

The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed but, as part of the deal, all Piero employees have moved to Ross Video’s UK subsidiary from Red Bee Media.

The company also says it’s “business as usual from a customer perspective,” with Ross Video now delivering the Piero system and supporting all former Red Bee Media customers.

Steve Nylund, CEO, Red Bee Media, said: “Ross Video is well positioned to continue to develop Piero and they will be able to leverage the potential of the product and accelerate growth of the business.”

David Ross, CEO, Ross Video, adds: “Piero Sports Graphics are a perfect complement to our industry-leading XPression Graphics and VS/AR offerings. Our worldwide sports production customer base will really appreciate the added momentum and exposure we can give to this legendary product.”