I-Sport Selects Appear for Thai Soccer Action with Centralized VAR Distribution

I-Sport has partnered with Appear to enhance its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system with a centralized operational model. This move transitions VAR production from on-site setups to a streamlined hub in Bangkok, improving efficiency and accuracy for referees in Thailand’s Major League and League 2 soccer matches. Appear’s technology ensures seamless, low-latency video transmission between stadiums and the Video Operations Room (VOR), allowing referees to make real-time, informed decisions.

By adopting Appear’s platform, I-Sport gains a compact and easily deployable solution that guarantees high reliability for remote VAR operations. This partnership will power VAR coverage for over 550 soccer matches annually, reinforcing Appear’s role as a trusted technology provider in live sports broadcasting. With its expertise in low-latency, high-precision video delivery, Appear helps I-Sport deliver a flawless viewing experience for Thai soccer fans.

Appear, the global leader in live production technology, has been chosen by I-Sport, a joint venture between Samart Multimedia Co. Ltd. and Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited, to implement a new centralized operational model for delivering Video Assistant Referee (VAR) content to and from its center in Bangkok. This initiative supports I-Sport’s live coverage of the Thai Major League and League 2 soccer competitions, enabling the transition from on-site VAR production to a centralized approach.

To facilitate this shift, I-Sport has adopted Appear’s platform to manage the delivery of its VAR feeds. The solution ensures seamless transmission from the stadium to the Video Operations Room (VOR) and back to the venue, allowing the local referee to make accurate and timely decisions.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system plays a vital role in reviewing key moments during live sporting events. It demands split second synchronization between cameras on the field and the centralized Video Operations Room (VOR), where assistant referees analyze the footage. Ensuring real-time accuracy and uninterrupted availability of these video links is critical, as VAR decisions are often required instantly to maintain the flow of the game.

Supavas Prohmvitak, General Manager at I-Sport Company Limited, highlighted the benefits of Appear’s platform, stating: “Appear’s solution excels in its compact design and transportability, making it easy to relocate platforms between stadiums. For centralized VAR, precise alignment of camera and video delivery feeds is crucial, and Appear’s technology delivers this with exceptional reliability. The platform supports the requirements of a remote VAR operation through its superior technology and low latency for timely refereeing decisions.”

I-Sport has extended its existing relationship with Appear and will use its VAR technology in both the Major League and League 2 in Thailand, integrating live contribution and remote VAR operations into a single, optimized system. Appear’s platform will deliver VAR content for a total of 245 soccer matches per year for the Thai Major League football and 306 matches for League 2.

Shakunt Malhotra, Vice President, Asia Pacific at Appear, said: “Live sports is one of the most demanding types of content to deliver, and when VAR is in action, an even higher degree of accuracy and dependability is required. I-Sport’s choice to collaborate with Appear for its centralized VAR solution highlights our position as a leading technology partner for high-profile sporting events. The deployment of our platform by I-Sport will ensure a flawless and optimal viewing experience for Thai soccer fans.”