Birmingham City set to take centre stage in groundbreaking EFL event
Birmingham City are set to take part in a 'must-see' EFL first next month when they head to Wrexham for what has popularly been dubbed the 'Hollywood Derby'. The fixture, which has been selected for live TV coverage by Sky Sports and has been moved to Thursday 23 January as a result, will also be viewed by millions across the Atlantic via CBS Sports.
The 8pm kick off (which will be 3pm for much of the States) has been selected by CBS Sports and COSM, who are working together to produce what is described as being 'presented in shared reality'. COSM have all-encompassing, immersive venues in Los Angeles and Dallas and the Wrexham v Blues game will be available to watch - but not in a way you'll have seen before.
Combining the best of watching live sport with the experience of attending the cinema or the theatre, the aim of COSM is to make the audience feel, quite simply, as if they're actually inside the stadium where the game they're watching is being played. The technology involves a 180-degree, domed screen.
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At the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham's home, will be a number of 8K cameras which capture all angles which helps to create the experience of the viewer that they're actually in Wales and not thousands of miles away.
Blues CEO Garry Cook said: “Innovation is what fuels growth in sport. CBS Sport and COSM have created a new viewing experience that is transforming the way supporters engage with their favourite teams remotely on match days. They are doing this in a way that makes supporters feel that they can say 'I was there!'.
“ Birmingham City Football Club’s supporter base in the U.S. is growing at pace. Our kit, with the UNDEFEATED logo, is now being repped across cities like LA, Dallas and New York. We have an exciting story that is capturing the hearts and minds of a new US audience. This will be strengthened by CBS Sports and COSM decision to broadcast the EFL League One game against Wrexham. It promises to be a must-see game and in a must-visit location.”
