Live From Super Bowl LIX: Inside the SkyCam and Sony Efforts To Make 4K 240-fps Imaging on SkyCam a Reality The dual system will provide more of a tactical view' of the action By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 7:49 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
SkyCam's big presence at a Super Bowl is nothing new, but, at Super Bowl LIX, the two SkyCam units flying around the Caesars Superdome will bring something new to the world of cabled camera systems.
The low one will have a Kudan LiDAR sensor mounted on the bottom to improve the stability of the AR graphics inserted into SkyCam shots. The high SkyCam features a new Sony P50A camera, which will capture 4k images at 240 frames per second, providing a new pixel- and frame-rich environment enabling the FOX Sports replay team to do everything from HD cutouts to tracking objects, telestration, and much more.
From left: SkyCam GM/COO Stephen Wharton, Game High Sky EIC Jason Curl, SkyCam Lead EIC Brad Eisele, and SkyCam, VP, Software Tim Demers
It will provide more of a tactical view, says Steve Wharton, GM/COO/CTO, SkyCam, where you can see the routes and a lot of the blocking, especially on the edges of the line. On the low SkyCam, we can show the big pockets and holes from a low perspective, but the high SkyCam can offer a tactical view.
The high SkyCam at Super Bowl LIX is outfitted with a Sony P50A, which will capture 4K images at 240 fps.
SkyCam has about 20 people onsite, including four sets of pilots and operators: one set for the low SkyCam, one for the high SkyCam, a third for the pregame show, and a fourth for the halftime show.
Each of the guys has a set of responsibilities and controls, Wharton explains. The pilots are responsible for flying the SkyCam; you can think of it like flying a fighter jet. The operators are the ones pulling focus.
The SkyCam system comprises three distinct components: the cameras and the pilot and operator controls; the winches and cabling (which will be located on the 600 level at Caesars Superdome); and the truck ties and the AR graphics. Says Wharton, Everything gets orchestrated together.
Getting SkyCam ready for a Super Bowl requires months of planning. The team not only has to figure out where to rig the system but also needs to consider the additional speaker and lighting clusters put in place for the halftime show. This year, integrating the new Sony camera into the SkyCam workflow took some time, as did ensuring that signals were transported properly across fiber connects from the camera to the production team.
From left: High Sky Operator Austin Ellsworth; Low Sky Pilot Alex Milton; Sam High Sky Pilot Walker; SkyCam, VP, Software, Tim Demers; SkyCam GM/COO/CTO Stephen Wharton; and SkyCam, Manager, Technical Operations, Mark StreapyTim Demers, SkyCam, VP Software; Stephen Wharton, SkyCam, GM, COO & CTO; Mark Streapy, SkyCam, Technical Operations Manager
This camera is going to get looks the production team otherwise would not have, says Wharton. It's not like a pylon cam, which is useful only for plays on the goal line. This is useful on every play.
North America Stories
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
14/07/2026
Victory+ telecasts to be simulcast on TEGNA-owned station, expanding free local distribution...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
IBC2026 has unveiled a powerful Conference programme bringing together global media leaders, technology innovators, creators, sports organisations, broadcasters...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, has delivered two highly capable outsid...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Editor's note: This post is part of the Nemotron Labs blog series, which exp...
Live From Super Bowl LIX: Inside the SkyCam and Sony Efforts To Make 4K 240-fps Imaging on SkyCam a Reality The dual system will provide more of a tactical view' of the action By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director 
