Panasonic Announces the Installation of the World's Largest 4K Video Board at Churchill Downs

Home of the Kentucky Derby will Broadcast Crisp, Clear 4K Content for Fans

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Jan 06, 2014, 02:00 ET

LAS VEGAS and LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation of North America and Churchill Downs Racetrack, the legendary home of the Kentucky Derby, are proud to announce the installation of the new 4K "Big Board", the only video board in an outdoor stadium or arena capable of displaying 4K. As the largest 4K video board in the world, the 171-foot wide by 90-foot tall video board will sit 80-feet above the ground and will top out at 170-feet in height so that fans throughout the racetrack will be able to view crystal clear racing content.

Panasonic will be providing a product that will display in excess of 2,160 vertical lines with more than 4,000 horizontal lines of resolution. In total, the board will be capable of displaying over 9 million lines of resolution enabling a wide variety of capabilities including image magnification, replays, betting odds and race results, advertising, brand messaging, split screen and ticker displays, public service announcements and many other creative elements. The LED systems are being provided by Panasonic's premium manufacturing partner, Lighthouse Technologies, a recognized leader in high-quality LED display systems worldwide.

"We are thrilled to announce that the world's largest 4K video board will have a home at Churchill Downs and, the fact that it will have 4K resolution truly solidifies our claim to fame as being known as the best venue for thoroughbred racing in the world," said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "We are eager to debut this new video board to fans and believe they will be truly excited about the clarity in which races will be broadcast."

"We're very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Churchill Downs and deliver a 15,224-square foot board to an icon of the sports world," said Jim Doyle, President of Panasonic Eco Solutions North America. "4K content is truly the wave of the future and we are excited to bring avid racing fans this technology that gives them the ability to view content on a big screen as if they were up close and personal with the racetrack."

Installation on the Big Board began in December and will be completed by mid-March. Current plans are to unveil the Big Board to the public at "Opening Night" of Kentucky Derby Week on Saturday, April 26, in a dazzling nighttime display of the Big Board's technological capabilities.

About Churchill Downs Racetrack

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 140^th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 3, 2014. The 2014 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 26-June 29. The track has hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championships a record eight times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.ChurchillDowns.com.

About Panasonic Eco Solutions North America

Panasonic Eco Solutions North America is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Panasonic Corporation was recently ranked number four in Interbrand's "Best Global Green Brands 2013", moving up two spots from number six, becoming the highest ranked electronics brand in the report. Panasonic Eco Solutions develops and provides customized and integrated technology-based system solutions for enterprise customers in a variety of industries such as sports, entertainment and digital outdoor. Additionally, the company supplies renewable energy and energy-efficiency solutions to corporate and public sector organizations. For more information visit: http://www.panasonic.com and http://us.panasonic.com/business/pesna/.

SOURCE Panasonic