SBJ Power Up: Verizon Business, Nvidia team up on 5G and AI

Verizon debuts new broadcast solution

Verizon Business debuted a new broadcast solution at the NAB Show at Las Vegas this week that the company says is geared towards solving complex production challenges, SBJ’s Rob Schaefer reports. Central to the solution is a private 5G network that is portable, environmentally controlled, and built with Nvidia platforms Nvidia AI Enterprise and Nvidia Holoscan for Media.

The 5G component will allow broadcasters to “de-cable” venues (i.e., replace the cost- and time-intensive process of installing fiber and coax) in a secure manner, according to Verizon Business CTO/Media & Entertainment Josh Arensberg; the artificial intelligence-based capabilities include a prompt-based function that recommends camera angles for production crews to prioritize, and could eventually expand to the creation of content such as graphics.

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The Atlantic League’s latest QR code innovation

The allure of catching a foul ball at a baseball game is universal and enduring; so much so that High Point (N.C.) Rockers President Peter Fisch still has a ball he snagged at an Eastern League game more than 50 years ago.

Now the Rockers and the rest of the 10-team Atlantic League are hoping to bring that foul ball experience into the 21st century. When the Class A independent league opens its season April 25, it will do so with baseballs carrying a QR code. The QR code could serve as a fan engagement device for something as simple as recognition for grabbing a foul ball; a potent sponsor tie-in; or for promotions as time-tested as redemption for a free ice cream at concessions or a free soda at the local QSR sponsor. Read more from SBJ’s Terry Lefton here.

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Sources: FanDuel Sports Network deadline delayed again for five NBA teams

The soft deadline of April 1 for five NBA teams to extend their expiring deals with FanDuel Sports Network has been delayed for an undisclosed period, sources told SBJ, a postponement that could ultimately induce the Hawks, Cavaliers, Heat, T’Wolves and Bucks to opt back in to their RSNs for at least next season, SBJ’s Tom Friend reports.

The artificial deadline has been pushed several times -- from December 2024 to April 1 and now perhaps into this summer or beyond -- as the league office negotiates a potential national streaming RSN with Amazon, YouTube, Apple and perhaps ESPN+, Roku or others. The five teams in question had expected to be briefed on the infrastructure and financial upside of the national streaming RSN by April 1 before making decisions on their local TV futures but instead remain in limbo as the regular season winds down this month.