Vizrt

Vizrt is a Norwegian broadcast-technology brand whose products are used to create, control, manage, and distribute visual content for television, streaming, sports, news, and other live-media environments. Its technology is best known for real-time three-dimensional broadcast graphics built around the Viz Engine rendering platform and the Viz Artist design application. The portfolio also includes character generation, studio graphics, virtual sets, augmented and virtual production, channel branding, newsroom automation, media asset management, sports analysis, content management, and tools for digital publishing. The company originated in the operational needs of TV 2 Norway. In 1997, a spin-off called Pilot Broadcast Systems AS was established to develop software for newsroom graphics, including an early template-based graphics system. Pilot merged with Austria-based Peak Software Technologies in 1999, creating Peak Broadcast Systems. Peak contributed real-time 3D graphics, animation, virtual-set, and playback-control expertise. In 2000, Peak Broadcast Systems merged with RT-SET, an Israeli developer of virtual-studio systems. The combined business became Vizrt, a name associated with visualization in real time and visual-artist workflows. Vizrt developed from a graphics supplier into a broader broadcast workflow company through acquisitions and product integration. Curious Software added animated 2D and 3D mapping capabilities in 2005. The company acquired Ardendo in 2006, strengthening its media asset-management offering, and acquired Escenic in 2008 to expand into content-management software for online publishers. Vizrt also built a mobile-video initiative with Adactus and later acquired the remainder of that business. Its sports-production portfolio expanded through the acquisition of LiberoVision, whose technology was rebranded Viz Libero and used for virtual sports enhancement and analysis. The acquisition of Mosart Medialab in 2014 added control-room automation and led to the Viz Mosart product line. The brand has been visible in major news, sports, election, and entertainment productions. CNN used Vizrt virtual-studio and rendering technology for live, camera-tracked election coverage in 2008, including an early widely reported remote “holographic” interview effect. Vizrt tools have also supported election coverage by broadcasters in the United States, the Philippines, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Middle East, and elsewhere. Other cited deployments include Olympic Games coverage, UEFA Euro 2012, Super Bowl and Daytona 500 coverage, and interactive television programming. Vizrt was publicly traded in Frankfurt after the original RT-SET listing and later listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. It delisted from Frankfurt in 2009 and was removed from the Oslo exchange after its merger with Nordic Capital was completed in March 2015. In 2019, Vizrt acquired NewTek, the developer of TriCaster and the NDI protocol, bringing together Vizrt’s broadcast-graphics and workflow capabilities with NewTek’s live video-production and IP-based connectivity technologies. Vizrt Group subsequently operated as a broader live-media technology group, with Vizrt remaining its core broadcast-graphics and production brand. Reference material describes a customer base in more than 100 countries and approximately 700 employees distributed across about 40 offices, although these figures may change over time.

Vizrt’s origins lie in broadcast graphics work developed for TV 2 Norway. In 1997, the broadcaster’s requirements for newsroom graphics led to the creation of Pilot Broadcast Systems AS as a spin-off. The new company developed a template-based graphics system intended to help television newsrooms produce visual material efficiently and consistently. In 1999, Pilot Broadcast Systems merged with Austria-based Peak Software Technologies GmbH, founded by Christian Huber, Karl-Heinz Klotz, and Hubert Oehm. The resulting Peak Broadcast Systems combined template-driven newsroom graphics with Peak Software’s expertise in real-time 3D graphics, animation, virtual sets, and playback control. This broadened the business from a newsroom-specific application into a supplier of systems for multiple broadcast-production tasks. The next major step came in 2000, when Peak Broadcast Systems merged with RT-SET Ltd. RT-SET, established in 1994, was an Israeli developer of virtual-studio technology. Its systems drew on flight-simulator technology originally developed for the Israeli Air Force and adapted that technology for television virtual sets and on-air graphics. The merged company adopted the Vizrt identity and developed a portfolio centered on real-time rendering and graphics production. Vizrt expanded through a series of acquisitions. In 2005 it acquired London-based Curious Software, adding animated mapping for television, corporate presentations, and online applications. During the same year, Vizrt acquired an initial 19 percent interest in Norwegian mobile-content company Adactus AS. The two companies developed Viz 3G, which combined Viz Engine rendering with Adactus’s MPEG-21-based delivery platform for graphics-enabled mobile video. Vizrt acquired the remaining Adactus shares in 2010. In 2006, the acquisition of Swedish digital asset-management company Ardendo added tools for managing television media libraries and production content. In 2008, Vizrt acquired Norwegian content-management developer Escenic. Escenic’s software was used by several prominent news and publishing websites, enabling Vizrt to extend beyond television production into digital publishing and online-media workflows. Vizrt later sold a majority interest in Escenic to Denmark-based CCI; the transaction was announced in 2013 and completed in January 2014. Sports production became another area of expansion. In 2010, Vizrt formalized a strategic collaboration with Stergen Hi-Tech, a developer of two-dimensional-to-three-dimensional video-conversion technologies for sports television. Vizrt also entered discussions with Swiss company LiberoVision in 2010 and completed its acquisition in 2012. LiberoVision’s virtual sports-enhancement tools were rebranded Viz Libero, and its chief executive, Stephan Würmlin Stadler, became Vizrt’s executive vice president for sports according to the cited reference material. In November 2013, Vizrt announced its intention to acquire Mosart Medialab from TV 2 Norway. Mosart’s control-room automation technology became Viz Mosart and contributed to Viz Opus, a packaged control-room system. The transaction reinforced Vizrt’s strategy of integrating graphics, newsroom control, automation, and production management rather than selling isolated graphics engines. Vizrt’s technology gained public visibility through high-profile live productions. CNN used Viz Virtual Studio and Viz Engine for camera-tracked election coverage in 2008. The system helped create a three-dimensional representation of a remote participant, producing an effect widely characterized as a live holographic interview. Vizrt systems were also used for interactive television programming, German public-service broadcasting, Philippine election coverage, Olympic and European football coverage, and major United States sports events. The company’s ownership and capital-market history also changed significantly. RT-SET had conducted an initial public offering on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 1999, and the combined Vizrt business remained listed there until its shares were delisted in 2009. Vizrt was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2005. In November 2014, it entered a merger agreement with Nordic Capital. Shareholders approved the deal in December, and the merger was completed on March 19, 2015, taking Vizrt off the Oslo exchange. In May 2019, Vizrt acquired NewTek for a reported US$95.25 million. NewTek brought the TriCaster live-production platform and the NDI protocol, which is used to transport video and related media over IP networks. The acquisition connected Vizrt’s strengths in real-time graphics and broadcast workflow with NewTek’s live switching, production, and networked-media technologies. Vizrt subsequently operated as part of Vizrt Group, whose portfolio also included NewTek. Reference material describes the group as serving customers in more than 100 countries, with roughly 700 employees across approximately 40 offices; current figures are not established here.

• 2019

  NewTek was acquired

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  Vizrt acquired NewTek, adding TriCaster live-production systems and the NDI media-over-IP protocol.

• 2015

  Nordic Capital merger was completed

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  The merger was completed on March 19, 2015, and Vizrt ceased to be listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

• 2014

  Mosart Medialab entered the Vizrt portfolio

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  Mosart’s control-room automation technology became Viz Mosart and supported the Viz Opus integrated control-room concept.

• 2012

  LiberoVision was acquired and rebranded Viz Libero

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  Vizrt added virtual sports-enhancement and analysis technology to its portfolio.

• 2008

  Escenic was acquired

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  The acquisition added content-management software for digital publishing and news websites.

• 2006

  Ardendo was acquired

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  Vizrt expanded into digital asset management for television and broadcast organizations.

• 2005

  Curious Software was acquired

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  The acquisition added animated 2D and 3D mapping capabilities for broadcast, corporate, and online applications.

• 2000

  Vizrt was formed through the merger with RT-SET

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  Peak Broadcast Systems merged with Israeli virtual-studio developer RT-SET, creating the company later known as Vizrt.

• 1999

  Pilot merged with Peak Software Technologies

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  The merger created Peak Broadcast Systems and combined newsroom graphics with real-time 3D, virtual-set, animation, and playback technologies.

• 1997

  Pilot Broadcast Systems was established

  [1]Vizrten.wikipedia.org

  A TV 2 Norway spin-off was formed to develop newsroom graphics software, including an early template-based graphics system.

Enterprise broadcast and live-media technology provider focused on real-time visual storytelling, graphics automation, virtual production, sports analysis, and integrated content workflows.

• Real-time graphics renderer

  Viz Engine

  Viz Engine is the core real-time rendering platform around which much of the Vizrt graphics ecosystem is organized. It generates broadcast-quality two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphics, virtual environments, and visual effects for live television and other media workflows. It can be integrated with control, newsroom, design, and production applications.

• Graphics design and authoring

  Viz Artist

  Viz Artist is a design and authoring application used to create real-time 3D scenes, graphics templates, animations, and virtual-production elements for Viz Engine-based workflows. It supports the preparation of reusable graphics packages that can be operated by newsroom, studio, sports, and channel-production teams.

• Character generator and newsroom graphics

  Viz Trio

  Viz Trio is a graphics-operation application for producing and managing on-air character-generation elements. It is intended for newsroom and live-production environments where operators need to select, update, and play out titles, lower thirds, tickers, data-driven graphics, and other broadcast overlays.

• Studio monitor playout

  Viz Multiplay

  Viz Multiplay is a studio-monitor and playout application for coordinating multiple visual outputs during live production. It can support the display of graphics, video, scripts, prompts, and related content across studio screens and production-monitoring surfaces.

• Channel branding and promotions

  Viz Channel Branding

  Viz Channel Branding is an on-air branding and promotional system for managing channel identities, promotional graphics, continuity elements, and scheduled visual packages. It addresses the recurring, automated presentation needs of television channels and other linear or scheduled services.

• Virtual studio and augmented production

  Viz Virtual Studio

  Viz Virtual Studio provides technology for camera-tracked virtual sets and real-time integration between physical cameras and computer-generated environments. It has been used for news, elections, sports, and other live productions requiring presenters or subjects to appear within visualized environments.

• Newsroom and control-room automation · 2014

  Viz Mosart

  Viz Mosart is a control-room automation system acquired through Mosart Medialab. It coordinates newsroom rundowns, video, graphics, audio, cameras, and other production components to help broadcasters execute live news and studio programs with fewer manual interventions.

• Sports analysis and virtual enhancement · 2012

  Viz Libero

  Viz Libero is the rebranded product line derived from LiberoVision’s virtual sports-enhancement technology. It supports analysis, replay presentation, telestration, and visually annotated sports content for broadcasters and production teams.

• 2014Sochi Olympics and major United States sports coverage

  Global · United States · Europe

  Vizrt provided virtual and on-air graphics for Fox Sports coverage of the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 and supplied systems for Sochi Olympics coverage by customers including TV 2 Norway, Viasat Sweden, and Sky Italia.

  Outcome. The work reinforced Vizrt’s role as an infrastructure and graphics supplier for high-profile sports broadcasts.

  Source
• 2012Major international events graphics program

  Global

  Vizrt supplied graphics, video, and online tools for the London Olympic Games, UEFA Euro 2012, and United States presidential election coverage.

  Outcome. The deployments demonstrated the company’s ability to support large-scale, multi-market live events and election production.

  Source
• 2008CNN election virtual interview coverage

  United States

  CNN used Viz Virtual Studio, camera tracking, Viz Engine, and a specialized plug-in to present a remote interview subject as a three-dimensional figure during United States presidential election coverage.

  Outcome. The production became a high-profile demonstration of real-time virtual-studio and rendering technology and was widely described as a live holographic interview.

  Source
• 2008Who Wants to Be a Millionaire interactive edition

  Norway

  TV 2 Norway used Viz technology for a play-along version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, incorporating web-interactive elements and real-time 3D graphics for online participants.

  Outcome. The production illustrated the use of Vizrt graphics beyond conventional television output, linking broadcast presentation with online participation.

  Source

• 2019

  Acquisition of NewTekM&A

  Background

  The transaction was intended to combine Vizrt’s graphics and broadcast workflow capabilities with NewTek’s live-production systems and IP-based media connectivity.

  Action taken

  Vizrt acquired all shares of NewTek for US$95.25 million, according to the cited reference material.

  Aftermath

  NewTek became part of Vizrt Group, adding TriCaster and the NDI protocol to the group’s live-media technology portfolio.

  Acquisition consideration. US$95.25 million (2019 acquisition; amount disclosed in the company’s second-quarter report)

  Source

• 2015

  Merger with Nordic CapitalM&A

  Background

  Vizrt’s ownership structure changed after a merger agreement announced in 2014 and approved by shareholders.

  Action taken

  The merger was completed on March 19, 2015.

  Aftermath

  Vizrt was removed from the Oslo Stock Exchange and continued as a privately held business within the new ownership structure.

  Source

• 2014

  Acquisition of Mosart MedialabM&A

  Background

  Vizrt was integrating graphics with newsroom and control-room operations to offer more complete live-production workflows.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Mosart Medialab from TV 2 Norway and renamed the system Viz Mosart.

  Aftermath

  Viz Mosart became part of Vizrt’s newsroom-automation portfolio and supported the Viz Opus control-room concept.

  Source

• 2012

  Acquisition of LiberoVisionM&A

  Background

  Vizrt identified virtual sports analysis and enhancement as a complementary growth area for broadcasters.

  Action taken

  Vizrt acquired Swiss developer LiberoVision and rebranded its technology as Viz Libero.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition added sports replay, analysis, and virtual-enhancement capabilities to the Vizrt portfolio.

  Source

• 2008

  Acquisition of EscenicM&A

  Background

  Digital publishers and broadcasters increasingly required integrated content-management and online publishing systems.

  Action taken

  Vizrt acquired Norwegian content-management developer Escenic.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition extended Vizrt’s reach into digital publishing and online news workflows before the majority stake was later sold to CCI.

  Source

• 2006

  Acquisition of ArdendoM&A

  Background

  Vizrt aimed to expand from graphics production into management of broadcast-media libraries and workflows.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Swedish digital asset-management provider Ardendo.

  Aftermath

  Ardendo technology strengthened Vizrt’s media asset-management portfolio.

  Source

• 2005

  Acquisition of Curious SoftwareM&A

  Background

  Vizrt sought to broaden its broadcast-graphics portfolio with animated mapping and visualization capabilities.

  Action taken

  The company acquired London-based Curious Software, a developer of 2D and 3D animated maps.

  Aftermath

  Mapping became part of Vizrt’s offering for television, corporate presentations, and online applications.

  Source

1. 1Vizrten.wikipedia.org