Live From Super Bowl LIX: Inside the SkyCam and Sony Efforts To Make 4K 240-fps Imaging on SkyCam a Reality

08/02/2025

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.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/02/08/live-from-super-bowl-lix-inside...
	See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026