Albion Rovers has been announced as finalists in the Herald Digital Transformation Awards for the leading role that the club played in the introduction of match day live streaming across a number of SPFL clubs during the pandemic. Albion Rovers, together with Stenhousemuir FC have been jointly nominated in the Digitally Transformed Business category.
Reaching the finals of the awards is recognition for the hard work undertaken by both clubs, alongside Rovers fan, comic book writer and Hollywood producer Mark Millar. Their efforts resulted in 22 professional clubs across the SPFL adopting the Pixellot camera system which used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to remotely film and broadcast live matches and events to supporters who were locked out of stadiums due to lockdown restrictions. Since its introduction, over 300 matches have been broadcast with an estimated revenue achieved by clubs of over £200k through live stream sales in a self-sustainable business model.
The new technology also acted as a catalyst for a number of clubs to bolster their online media departments and have offered opportunities for up and coming young sports journalists or media students to get involved with their local clubs and improve the match day content for supporters.
The club said, “we’re very pleased to be part of the team who, along with Iain McMenemy at Stenhousemuir FC, made widespread live streaming happen. We’re grateful to Mark and Lucy Millar, whose generous donation made this possible for Albion Rovers. And we never fail to be impressed the people at the club who took the idea and turned it into reality. Ben Kearney and Daniel Mossie deserve a special mention, as do Alison McGowan and Eddie Haggerty. Regardless of whether we win the award or not, being recognised as club with an eye on the future is where we want to be.”
The awards ceremony will take place virtually on November 4th, where the winners in each category will be announced.
