An Illinois city has announced a new approach to how local sports are made available to the public.
The City of Lake Forest on Tuesday announced a partnership with Pixellot that will use AI-automated production to allow for broader distribution of local sports action to regional, national and international audiences.
Lake Forest implemented Pixellot's AI sports cameras in its new athletic facilities and will livestream youth sports league games to a new OTT viewing app.
Pixellot is calling Lake Forest the first Smart Sports City, an approach that aims to democratize sports media access, changing the way local sports are available to the public.
The announcement comes after a trial period at the city’s Everett Park facility, which used AI-automated production and distribution to stream over 30 games to 4,000 viewers. Lake Forest will now install eight fixed Pixellot sports cameras at its new Deerpath Community Park athletic facilities that will be used to livestream youth sports leagues throughout the year.
“Since launching the pilot program at Everett Park, we’ve heard positive feedback from Lake Forest residents who appreciate being about to watch games regardless of location,” said Lake Forest City manager Jason Wicha. “If a parent is working late, a grandparent lives out of state, or an athlete wants to relive a great play, they’ll be able to do so with the new cameras at Deerpath Community Park.”
