Biel, Switzerland — InfrontRingier, together with parent company Ringier, Premium Partner Samsung and in collaboration with Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR and WTA Media has announced it will introduce 360 degree production technology for the Ladies Open Biel Bienne. The new indoor tournament, which has been granted official status by the WTA Tour, will take place for the first time in the new Swiss Tennis Arena in Biel from 8 to 16 April 2017.
As a first for tennis, behind-the-scenes footage of the tournament and live streams of the games and training sessions will be filmed using 360 degree video technology to record live from the court and provide a completely new and immersive viewing perspective of the action.
For the ambassador of the new women's tournament, Martina Hingis, it is an important innovation: "For the spectators it is not always easy to grasp the viewpoint of our players. The 360 degree video technology enables them to at least see things from our perspective on the court. It is a great way to be a step closer to the fans."
Lukas Troxler, Tournament Director: "We are delighted that our new WTA tournament has taken the role of digital pioneer and that together with our Premium Partner Samsung we have been able to embrace innovations in virtual reality to make the tennis experience come alive in a whole new way. It is important to us that we offer a fascinating live tennis experience not only to the spectators onsite but also to viewers off the court."
Samsung is joined by other well-known brands that support the Ladies tournament, other Official Partners include: Swiss milk processor Emmi with YUM! - the new yogurt mousse, data center service provider DataHub and tennis equipment supplier Yonex. The watch brand Rado also joins the contingent as Official Timekeeper of the WTA tournament. Each of the partners benefits from exposure on Centre Court and receives extensive brand visibility through live SRG SSR coverage.
Tickets for the first Ladies Open Biel Bienne held from 8 to 16 April 2017 are available at www.ticketcorner.ch as well as at numerous pre-sale points. More information on the tournament and the public fan village can be found at www.ladiesopen.ch.
InfrontRingier Sports & Entertainment Switzerland AG, based in Zug, Switzerland, is a 50/50 joint venture between the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media and the largest Swiss media group Ringier. It unifies the competencies and experiences of both mother companies and has developed into the leading sports marketing company in Switzerland. InfrontRingier supports organisers of sports events as well as top athletes as a marketing, consulting and service partner. The high-level national portfolio includes, besides others, the Raiffeisen Super League, the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup and the Tour de Suisse.