Industry

Nippon TV and FOR-A America have unveiled the world’s first deployment of viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV that is set to redefine live sports production. Beginning in 2026, NBC Sports will implement the real-time AI technology across coverage of several live events, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of broadcast and streaming workflows.

Designed to operate entirely on-device and without the need for internet connectivity, viztrick AiDi delivers real-time player tracking, face tagging, object recognition, 2.5D telestration, automated score graphics and motion data analytics. Its ability to automatically crop video to a 9:16 vertical format with intelligent auto-tracking enables broadcasters to efficiently create mobile-first content, opening new incremental streaming opportunities with minimal operational complexity. FOR-A America is responsible for the sales and delivery of the solution.

Explaining NBC Sports’ interest in the technology, Tim Canary, Senior Vice President of Engineering at NBC Sports, said: “We were looking for the right tool for streaming live sports that would automatically crop athletes to a 9:16 aspect ratio with auto tracking. AiDi is that tool. AiDi uniquely provides real-time processing with minimal delay, which is key for live sports content.”

Canary also highlighted the flexibility of the system in live production environments: “AiDi was designed and developed by broadcasters, so it solves the specific challenges we face every day. It easily switches between AI mode and manual mode. This is particularly useful when the scene switches from a tight to a wide shot. If AI can’t grab the right athlete instantly during a camera switch, you can easily re-track them manually with AiDi. You never lose the athlete you’re tracking, which is a very important detail for our live coverage. Nippon TV and FOR-A collaborated with us, understood our needs, and quickly implemented them with AiDi.”

From Nippon TV’s perspective, the collaboration represents a key step toward global expansion. Takayuki Shinoda, Lead Developer of viztrick AiDi at Nippon TV’s Global Strategy Headquarters, commented: “We are honored that our technology has been selected by NBC Sports, a global leader in sports broadcasting. It is deeply gratifying that Nippon TV’s creative power, honed at the forefront of broadcasting, has gained recognition beyond borders—this is extremely encouraging for us. This selection is not the ultimate goal, but the first step in our journey toward the global market. We will continue to pursue ‘AI that is truly useful on location,’ delivering new value to video production sites worldwide.”

Beyond its technical capabilities, viztrick AiDi also creates new revenue opportunities by enabling broadcasters to offer dynamic vertical content tailored for mobile audiences. According to FOR-A America President and COO Satoshi Kanemura, the solution supports new business models with minimal cost of ownership: “Broadcasters reap the rewards of additional viewers from unique streaming content that’s not only just as exciting as the broadcast version but also enhances the viewing experiences. AI technology assists in increasing creativity with minimal investment and manpower.”

Unlike cloud-based alternatives, AiDi’s on-device, real-time processing ensures low latency and consistent performance regardless of connectivity, making it particularly well suited for outside broadcast environments and remote production scenarios. Kanemura added: “viztrick AiDi represents a fundamental shift in how AI can enhance sports broadcasting. By operating entirely on-device without internet dependency, it provides broadcast-grade reliability while delivering intelligent automation that empowers creative teams to focus on storytelling and less time on routine tasks.”

The system has been shaped by direct feedback from broadcasters and streamers, including NBC Sports, resulting in a production-centric workflow and intuitive user interface. As Canary noted:
“AiDi was designed by broadcasters who know the specific challenges involved in live sports. When we provided input into the design, Nippon TV and FOR-A were open and collaborative. It was a partnership resulting in a sports-production-centric workflow with an intuitive GUI that’s extremely easy and practical to use.”

Among its standout capabilities, viztrick AiDi allows operators to draw directly on screen while automatically tracking moving players or objects, supports facial recognition for displaying player profiles without interrupting live coverage, and can automatically recognize scoreboard data, offering faster and more accurate score input than manual methods. Key features include 2.5D telestration anchored to the field, player tracking and motion data, face tagging and profile generation, auto score graphics, and automated cropping and tracking.

Concluding, Kanemura emphasized FOR-A’s broader vision: “Broadcasting is evolving fast, and FOR-A’s theme of ‘Connecting the Present, Building the Future’ means giving our partners the confidence to embrace that evolution. viztrick AiDi is proof that we’re leading the way.”