A History-Making Relationship

First Turn Club IPTV Upgrade

Completed in the spring of 2023, Alpha’s integration of the First Turn Club’s IPTV and video distribution system not only transformed the viewing experience for up to 7,000 guests in this premium indoor/outdoor trackside space. It laid the groundwork for delivery of dynamic content across Churchill Downs. To capture the excitement of Derby Day – and provide a superior viewing experience throughout the year – Alpha partnered with VITEC and Ross Video to design and integrate a state-of-the-art, scalable IPTV system and a dynamic video distribution solution with dramatic impact and reach.

Alpha installed over 150 end points throughout the facility and installed a Ross dynamic video distribution solution to bring the flexibility of IPTV to the First Turn Club. Upgraded head ends supported legacy QAM while facilitating the transition to full IPTV, not only in the First Turn Club but across other venues including the Race & Sports Book, Triple Crown Room, and the Paddock Suites & Jockey Club Suites. Our approach combined the cost effectiveness and convenience of using legacy equipment where possible vs. installing an entirely new infrastructure. Just as important, Alpha provided Churchill Downs with an IPTV solution that could easily accommodate additional projects.

Race + Sports Book

After Kentucky legalized sports betting in March of 2023, Churchill Downs asked Alpha to help convert its existing live-racing room into a premium environment where gaming aficionados could wager on their favorite sports. Later that year, the Churchill Downs Race & Sports Book welcomed its first guests.

Leveraging our earlier head end integration, Alpha equipped the space with a 27-foot Primeview LED wall and 28 additional displays, all capable of displaying IPTV content. In addition, QSC wall panels brought a new degree of control to the environment. With a single touch, operators could power down the entire facility to achieve maximum energy savings when not in use. Besides simplifying operation, Alpha’s solution also advanced Churchill Downs’ LEED Certification efforts.

Triple Crown Room

In January of 2023, renovations had transformed Churchill Downs’ Triple Crown Room into an ultra-premium dining and viewing environment. Alpha equipped the space with a 24-foot by 11-foot Primeview LED wall that combined superior brightness and sharpness with full IPTV capabilities and the flexibility to display content in both single and quad-view formats. Additional displays throughout the Triple Crown Room further enhanced the viewing guest experience. Ease of operation was also achieved through centralized connection and control.

Paddock Suites + Jockey Club Suites

Consisting of viewing suites and common areas, the Paddock Suites and Jockey Club Suites at Churchill Downs were designed to provide a viewing experience tailorable to guests’ individual needs. Each suite was equipped with two-to-four displays, all connected to the VITEC IPTV system, which allowed for a wide variety of content ranging from live race feeds to cartoons for families with kids. At the same time, an array of monitors in the common areas enabled users to follow the action while gathering with friends outside their suites or moving from one area to another.

An exceptional experience for users and operators alike.

While Derby 150 was a milestone event in Churchill Downs’ storied history, the track sees use throughout the year. Renovations and new builds, therefore, must be carefully scheduled and precisely managed to adhere to timelines and minimize disruption to daily operations.

Churchill Downs has made Alpha its go-to technology partner based on the results we have achieved and the trust we’ve cultivated over the course of our longstanding relationship. Leveraging that history in a planned and systematic approach to IPTV design and integration, Alpha once again realized Churchill Downs’ vision – smoothly, comprehensively and cost efficiently. Instead of wholesale replacement of the legacy systems, Alpha harmonized new and existing technology in a way that respected the client’s budget while ensuring a uniformly superior guest experience. The success of these projects has led to further engagements both at Churchill Downs Racetrack and at additional sports and gaming properties owned by its parent company.