Large electronic video displays for sport stadiums

Stadiums and sport facilities in the USA were the first to install large electronic displays for entertainment of their audiences. This was primarily cause by fierce competition between different stadiums and the drive of advertisers to cover large audiences.

In the 70-80ies, the growth of broadcasting and cable TV networks in North America resulted in lower attendance of stadiums. Many fans preferred to stay at home and watch TV broadcasts. At that time, not only stadiums but cinemas also lost their viewers to TV. At present, a similar process can be observed in Russia and CIS countries.

It was proved that one of the main reasons why spectators preferred watching TV to attending stadiums was the inability of the latter to reply important episodes in slow motion. People would rather stay at home and watch sport events and enjoy technical novelties than attend stadiums and participate in the emotional events.

At that time stadiums and sport facilities started installing large displays to provide video replay of key moments. The prices on that equipment were 3-4 times higher than now but this did not deter the stadium owners.

Today, most US and Canadian stadiums are equipped with displays. Hockey stadiums usually boast four displays on all sides, basketball halls have video electronic display, and most soccer and football stadiums have huge full color electronic video displays that allow slow motion replays.

As a result:

• Spectators returned to the stadiums;
• Stadiums equipped with displays started receiving more requests for conducting both local and international sport events;
• Many tourist agencies included city stadiums in sightseeing programs for visiting tourists (not only for attending games and sport events) that helped receive additional revenues by stadiums and city authorities;
• Advertisers and sponsors eagerly invested additional resources into advertising during sport events because attendance drastically picked up;
• Young people became more interested in sports simply because it became a good family tradition to attend stadiums and watch spectacular sport feats;
• As the initial investments on procuring and installing display systems were returned, stadiums started upgrading their systems or replacing old displays for better modern electronic video models.

China, Korea, Japan and other countries of South East Asia are closely following North America. These countries started installing large displays not only in large stadiums but in smaller sport facilities and sport recreation resorts. In combination with the emotional sport competition and sound and light arrangements during the game, electronic full color displays help create a unique sport show and, thus, significantly increase attendance and revenues of large and small stadiums.

More details on large electronic displays for sport stadiums and sport facilities you will find on a Web-site of ATV Systems Magazine about large electronic displays.