FOX Sports to Roll Out Exciting Technology for Super Bowl LIX

New Gadgetry and Cameras for the Big Game

To cap its 30th season broadcasting the NFL, Fox will televise its 11th Super Bowl. For Super Bowl LIX, the network is rolling out some exciting, new gadgetry and the most cameras it ever has used for a Super Bowl.

147 Cameras for the Game

For a typical game, Fox only has 35 to 40 cameras for the action. But for Super Bowl LIX, it will have 147 total cameras, including 85 game cameras — 27 super slow motion, 23 high resolution, 16 robotic, 10 wireless, and two SkyCams. Though that number is impressive, it can be a bit misleading because you only need so many cameras for live game action.

Instant Replay and Analytical Views

A major benefit of the additional cameras is instant replay. “When you’re at the Super Bowl,” said Michael Davies, FOX Sports’ executive vice president of field and technical operations, “it’s vital that there are no angles missed.” Not only can the broadcast use those angles, but the replay officials also can as well.

High SkyCam and Sony HDC-P50A 4K Box Camera

Fox is particularly enthused about its high SkyCam providing the payload for a Sony HDC-P50A 4K box camera. That will provide a great analytical view for Tom Brady because it has higher resolution, shoots at a higher frame rate, and can show a wider view of the field. The box camera is only about the size of a shoebox and was first tried in the preseason before going into use for Week 16. It offers an All-22 shot from high above and then can zoom in for part of the play without any blurriness.

Pregame Show

There will be 64 pre-game cameras, including 12 wireless, eight robotic, seven augmented reality, and a FlyCam, which is a two-point wire camera that will traverse down Toulouse Street to Orleans Street during its pregame show. New Orleans has hosted many big-time sporting events, but for the first time, a pregame show will be located on Bourbon Street.

FOX NFL Sunday Pregame Show

FOX NFL Sunday will spend the first two-and-a-half hours of its five-and-a-half pregame show on that famous street. The studio crew will interact with fans and run football plays on a field that’s set up. Live music will play, and Gordon Ramsay will make po’ boys. Having coordinated with both the NFL and local law enforcement, which is on high alert following the Jan. 1 terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, Fox will use drones to show footage of New Orleans landmarks and fans entering the Caesars Superdome.

Conclusion

For its 30th anniversary of broadcasting the NFL, it’s not surprising it’s rolling out the bells and whistles, considering the investment involved. Securing the rights to NFC games originally cost $1.58 billion. Under the current NFL media contracts, Fox now pays about $2.2 billion annually.

FAQs

* How many cameras will be used for Super Bowl LIX?
+ 147 total cameras, including 85 game cameras.
* What is the purpose of the additional cameras?
+ To provide instant replay and analytical views.
* What is the Sony HDC-P50A 4K box camera?
+ A camera that provides a great analytical view with higher resolution, shoots at a higher frame rate, and can show a wider view of the field.
* Where will the pregame show be located for Super Bowl LIX?
+ On Bourbon Street in New Orleans.