American football fans will have an enhanced experience for Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Once Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles kicks off this February 9, American football fans will be in for a treat courtesy of the National Football League’s official technology partner, Sony!
Thanks to the partnership, around 240 Sony cameras will be deployed around the Caesars’ Superdome in New Orleans, which allows for extensive coverage of highlight plays, replays, interviews, and even trademark player celebrations.
“The Super Bowl is not just the biggest game of the year, it is also the biggest production,” says Michael Davies, FOX Sports EVP Field Operations. “Our job is to tell the story of the game, capturing the energy within the stadium and keeping billions of viewers engaged, and Sony is a key tool in reaching that goal.”
Sony cameras will be strategically placed across multiple locations, including the end zones and respective team sidelines, while a “SkyCam” will be providing a wider coverage. According to Sony, 14 cameras will also be dedicated to streaming-based content.
The company’s HawkREPLAY systems will also be in use, which is a “remote production and instant replay broadcast solution” to further enhance broadcast experience. Hawk-Eye technology, meanwhile, will also assist in-game officiating and replay systems.
“The Super Bowl is the most watched event of the year, and delivering an authentic and immersive experience for coaches, players, and fans requires a wide array of advanced technologies” says Gary Brantley, Chief Information Officer of the NFL.
Sony will also continue to supply the Associated Press, with 14 photographers and nine editors using their equipment to capture and share incredible imagery of the NFL’s most defining moments. NFL’s in-house photographers “NFL Focus” will also be using Sony Alpha cameras.
Photography teams will also utilize the Sony PDT-FP1 transmitter device to streamline their workflow. Doing so allows them to deliver content from their cameras straight to their editors in real-time for faster public consumption.
“Sony has been instrumental in enhancing the game-day experience with its innovative solutions, and we are proud to have Sony play a key role in making Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans unforgettable,” Brantley added in a media release.
Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show will also be covered with the Sony VENICE 2, along with the VENICE Extension System and Sony BURANO. Fourteen cameras will be used in the Furnicular Goats-produced Halftime Show featuring Lamar and guest perfomer SZA.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is a challenge unlike any other project we’ve been a part of,” explains James Coker, Head of Engineering and Technical Management at Funicular Goats.
“There are less than five minutes to set up and deliver a cinematic concert to millions of people, and the Sony Cinema Line cameras provide the perfect combination of full-frames sensor with broadcast compatibility to work seamlessly within the show’s structure andachieve this challenge.”
With this continued partnership, Super Bowl LIX might just have all of its iconic moments captured for American football fans to relive moving forward.
Banner image from the Kansas City Chiefs on Facebook.