Accedo, a global provider of video solutions, has teamed up with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a prominent player in XR technology, and HBS, a specialist in sports broadcasting, to accelerate the commercialization of XR sports services. This strategic alliance aims to bring together key stakeholders from the sports and XR industries, leveraging Accedo’s expertise in video user experience and monetization, Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon-powered XR technology, and HBS’ robust sports ecosystem. The initiative seeks to expedite knowledge acquisition, technological advancements, and time-to-market for XR sports services, while fostering industry collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The XR Sports Alliance seeks to drive the development and deployment of XR sports products and services by offering a comprehensive solution framework. This framework includes immersive video production and distribution, system architecture definition, data and monetization strategies, user testing, and advisory services on technology and business models. The program will also invite third-party participation, including XR original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to develop purpose-built XR hardware tailored for sports and video entertainment.

Central to the initiative is the collaboration among leading companies in sports, video, telecommunications, infrastructure, and hardware industries. They will engage in joint innovation projects, contribute to each other’s development roadmaps, and exchange insights to spur industry growth and innovation.

Michael Lantz, CEO of Accedo, highlighted the alliance’s potential: “We see XR as a pivotal platform for content distribution and user engagement, and our goal is to foster collaboration and innovation among industry stakeholders. The Alliance will facilitate insights into regional industry demands and upcoming XR solutions pipelines, enabling sports rights owners to make informed, data-driven decisions.”

Patrick Costello, Senior Director of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., emphasized the transformative potential of XR: “We are entering an era of spatial computing where XR experiences will revolutionize fan engagement with sports. The Alliance aims to catalyze the ecosystem by uniting key players across sports entertainment, driving immersive sports experiences through advancements in XR devices and increased investment in sports content rights.”

Sylvain Lebreton, Head of Digital Services at HBS, highlighted the program’s ambition: “This initiative is poised to be a game-changer for the sports industry, fostering innovation across the XR and sports broadcast sectors. By collaborating with leaders across the industry spectrum, we aim to accelerate the development and deployment of commercial XR sports services.”