Client: University of Kentucky
Changing the Game with IPTV & Digital Signage
Commonwealth Stadium is home to the University of Kentucky’s football team. In October 2015, the University completed a $120M renovation that included the installation of a CastNET Sports IPTV and digital signage system by Alpha Video Sports & Entertainment. The objectives for the CastNET system were to improve fan experience, increase revenue for the university, and increase safety.
The stadium renovation included adding more private suites, more club seats, new press facilities, a multi-purpose recruiting room, improved concession areas and the installation of the CastNET system. CastNET manages content on the screens in the concourses, suites, lobbies, locker rooms, recruiting rooms, press box and lounges.
Customized Features
The CastNET Sports installation at Commonwealth Stadium is a massive digital signage integration project. Its success depends on a number of customized features:
- CastNET is real-time integrated with the Daktronics scoreboard so that scoreboard data can be shown immediately on stadium screens.
- CastNET StatsView is integrated with Stat Crew Software so that live game day statistics can be shown on stadium screens.
- CastNET is integrated with a closed captioning system to comply with recent ADA rulings.
- CastNET developed a Game Day Control Panel so that a tablet can easily control the entire the digital signage system.
Touch screen tablets using CastNET SuiteView remotely control the screens in the executive suites and lounges.
The system provides access to 32 cable channels from Time-Warner and fourteen digital signage channels. A total of 563 new Samsung screens were installed by Alpha Video Sports in half of the stadium.
Challenges
One significant challenge was that the new CastNET IPTV system architecture and new Samsung monitors are installed in only the home team half of the stadium. The rest of the stadium’s existing monitors on the visitor side are using an existing RF system architecture. The CastNET SportsView installation needed to be flexible enough to be supported on both architectures. The remaining half of the stadium will be upgraded in the summer of 2016.
Another challenge is that most screens are in public spaces and are subject to accidents, tampering or abuse. CastNET developed a trouble-shooting dashboard to quickly identify and respond to non-functioning screens. CastNET’s Game Day Support supplied one technician to be on-site during every home football game during the 2015 season to respond and fix non-functioning screens.
Services
Two significant services offered by Alpha Video were instrumental in making this installation a success. One was the consulting services provide by the Alpha Video Sports and CastNET technical team to design a network that supported the IPTV system architecture and the existing RF architecture.
The second service was provided by CastNET’s creative team who designed customized digital signage templates and digital signage advertising content used throughout the stadium.
Meeting the Objectives
Commenting on the CastNET system, Nathan Schwake, Associate AD Marketing and Licensing at the University of Kentucky, said, “The CastNET SportsView system installed by Alpha Video has allowed us ultimate flexibility on our game day presentation. It’s an upgrade for fan experience in both the public areas and premium spaces of the stadium and has added significant opportunities for our rights holder in activating new and existing sponsorships. The system is user friendly and we appreciate the Alpha Video and CastNet team’s professional approach to the installation.”