Fox Adds 'Virtual Fans' To MLB Telecasts. Will It Boost Real Ratings?

by Joe Mandese , July 23, 2020

Major league sports have long had "virtual" billboards, signage and other forms of superimposed advertising, but beginning with the start of its Major League Baseball coverage July 25, Fox will introduce "virtual fans."

"Utilizing cutting-edge Pixatope software," Fox Sports says it will superimpose virtual fans in stadium seats so that television viewers see "an elevated viewing experience."

"No seventh inning stretch needed for this crowd," Fox Sports added in a tweet on Twitter.

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2 comments about "Fox Adds 'Virtual Fans' To MLB Telecasts. Will It Boost Real Ratings?".

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Ed Papazian from Media Dynamics Inc, July 23, 2020 at 10:53 a.m.
It will be interesting to see how they depict these "fans", Will half of them be females? What about their age and racial or ethnic balance? Will their composition reflect the profile of the typical attendee or will they try to be totally "inclusive" and make the "fans" , in aggregate, resemble a crossection of the total population?
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Kevin Killion from Stone House Systems, Inc., July 23, 2020 at 11:22 a.m.

Maybe MLB could save a bundle and use virtual players as well, improving diversity by including women, disabled and elderly. And the virtual players could all respect the flag and national anthem with virtual hands on virtual hearts. And since it would all be CGI anyway, there would be exciting shots of a line drive to center field, as seen by the center fielder, or even the view from the ball itself as it races to the bleachers for a home run. Every game could be a nail-biter ending at the bottom of the 9th with two outs and a 3-2 count. Oh, what a brave new world Fox Sports has introduced !