The NBA fixture between the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs last Saturday marked a new era in sports broadcasting with the introduction of the Virtual 3.

Rolled out by ESPN, this new technology aims to assist viewers at home in knowing whether a shot is a three-point attempt or not, illumining the three-point line if the shot is attempted outside the three-point zone.

The Virtual 3 keeps in line with the NBA’s ambition to vastly improve the experience for fans watching at home after broadcasting the first ever live match in 4K as well as their experimentation with Virtual Reality.

ESPN Senior Vice President of Production Innovation Jed Drake said that it’s important the NBA concentrates on using technology to improve the viewing experience.

“In televised basketball there are simply times when the viewer cannot be certain that a 3-point attempt is valid,” he said.

“With Virtual 3, our viewers will know instantly. We really think that fans will grow to enjoy this instant verification”.

In addition to improving the viewing experience, the technology will also help to improve referees’ decision making and decrease on-court mistakes by officials.

ESPN Virtual 3: New TV tech that lights up the 3pt line for every 3pt shot attempt. Details: https://t.co/aYBrnbcjlC pic.twitter.com/RavVndzFVc

— Gianina (@Gianina_ESPN) January 29, 2016