“America’s Pastime” inks new partnership with Zoom
The new agreement is aimed at enhancing MLB games and boosting the fan viewership experience, particularly during replays.
If you are a baseball fan, you probably recall singing the more than century old song titled “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Well, you might be singing a newer version this year – “Take Me and Zoom Into the Ball Game.”
It’s a fact. When the 2023 season for “America’s Pastime” opens on Thursday, Major League Baseball (MLB) will be relying on the technology provider that many of us have used for meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic and later, but for replays and other fan experience services.
Specifically, MLB and Zoom Video Communications Inc. have announced a first-of-its-kind partnership for the league, aimed at enhancing MLB games and boosting the fan viewership experience. As the new Official Unified Communications Platform of MLB, the Zoom Contact Center and the Zoom platform technology will power new elements of Major League games and broadcasts.
According to this news release from MLB, a key component of the partnership involves replays. Beginning with the 2023 season, the Crew Chief, the most senior member of the four-man umpire crew, will connect to the Zoom Replay Operations Center using Zoom’s Contact Center solution during any replay review. During national broadcasts on MLB Network and Apple TV+, fans will also see the Zoom Replay Operations Center in action live during replay reviews and hear from an expert rules analyst who will discuss replay reviews with the broadcast team. MLB’s goal with this new setup is to create a more transparent and engaging review process.
