Heineken created one giant screen by combining fans' phones.
Image: Supplied
Brewing company Heineken unveiled its groundbreaking "Social Screen" at a high-profile UEFA Champions League event at Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg, offering football fans an innovative way to experience the thrilling clash between Barcelona and Benfica last week.
The "Social Screen" is an expansive "dynamic screen created by seamlessly connecting 289 mobile devices into one giant display". By physically combining their devices, fans formed a massive, synchronised screen, turning solitary viewing into a vibrant, communal experience.
The beer maker described the event as a celebration of "innovation, community, and an undeniable passion for the sport" aimed at uniting fans while using cutting-edge technology to elevate the match-watching experience to new heights.
Vittorio Cafiero, Head of Digital Production at LePub Milan explained that the team initially explored Wi-Fi 6E for its less congested frequency range but ultimately pivoted to standard 5GHz networks, strategically deploying additional access points.
"This setup successfully connected 289 mobile devices in a 17x17 grid, delivering a synchronized full HD (1920 x 1080) viewing experience – optimised to suit the ambient ‘noise’ of the environment,” Cafiero said.
"Technically, if we were to work an environment with limited noise and with devices capable of working with Wi-Fi 6e, we could probably scale the size of the Social Screen by at least two times more - up to 700 mobile phones," he added.
To join the experience, participants disabled their mobile data and scanned a large QR code displayed near the Social Screen. Once connected via Wi-Fi, the Social Screen’s Captive Portal opened automatically. Users selected an available slot, rotated their phones horizontally, and the match streamed seamlessly.
The Social Screen also featured custom-built technology that split DSTV Stream’s signal in real-time, dynamically adjusting to the number of connected devices, ensuring a "smooth viewing experience".
Warrick Wyngaard, Marketing Communication Manager at Heineken South Africa, expressed excitement about bringing this innovative experience to South African football fans.
“Our Heineken Social Screen is a testament to our commitment to creating unique, memorable experiences for our consumers.
“It was a moment and a fixture to remember. Football is about community, and we are planning even more experiences where fans can socialise and share their love for the game,” Wyngaard said.
IOL
