Appear powers I-Sport’s centralised VAR operations
February 25, 2025
Appear, the global leader in live production technology, has been chosen by I-Sport, a joint venture between Samart Multimedia and Siam Sport Syndicate, to implement a new centralised operational model for delivering Video Assistant Referee (VAR) content to and from its centre 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 centralised 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 synchronisation between cameras on the field and the centralised Video Operations Room (VOR), where assistant referees analyse 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, commented: “Appear’s solution excels in its compact design and transportability, making it easy to relocate platforms between stadiums. For centralised 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, optimised 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, added: “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 centralised 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.”
Other posts by :
- Oman’s Spaceport ready for fast-track launches
- Bank uplifts RocketLab
- AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird/FM1 en route to India
- D2D satellite battle hots up
- Eutelsat share price rockets
- AST SpaceMobile recovers after Verizon agreement
- Bank has mixed messages for AST SpaceMobile
- EchoStar clears key regulatory hurdles for Starlink deal
- Starlinks falling to Earth every day