Live From the Ryder Cup: T-Mobile Blazes 5G-Production Trail With NBC Sports, Omaha Productions, PGA of America DigitalSupport is provided for morning show, multiple wireless cameras, livestreamed podcastBy Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Friday, September 26, 2025 - 1:57 pm
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T-Mobile and its 5G solutions are all over Bethpage Black this week for the 2025 Ryder Cup. In addition to powering Omaha Productions' T-Mobile Breakfast at Bethpage 5G-enabled production each morning, T-Mobile's dedicated 5G private network is being deployed by NBC Sports for multiple 5G wireless cameras, and PGA of America's digital team is using T-Mobile 5G to livestream The Smylie Show podcast and provide live look-ins from the driving range on Sunday.
Comedian Hannah Berner delivers live reports from the Ryder Cup crowd for the Breakfast at Bethpage' morning show utilizing 5G-enabled cameras running on T-Mobile's private network.
We're here supporting three different broadcast [entities] with a very diverse set of 5G solutions, both public and private, deployed to meet the needs of each organization's unique needs, says Scott Jacka, senior director, technology development strategy, T-Mobile. As we approach an event like the Ryder Cup, we work closely with each of the organizations to understand their needs and use cases. Then we place our systems throughout the course to provide the coverage they need.
The Backbone: A Dedicated 5G Network at BethpageT-Mobile for Business's Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) team has erected a 5G private network comprising 19 5G radios/nodes scattered throughout the course, focused primarily on Holes 1 and 18. It provides connectivity for the various wireless cameras being used by Omaha Productions, NBC Sports, and PGA of America Digital.
The 19 5G modules are connected via fiber to T-Mobile's 5G on Demand trailer in the IT compound. The trailer houses an Ericsson EP 5G box that runs as a private 5G standalone core. This system is connected to the broadcast compound on the other end of the course, where the camera feeds are handed off to either Omaha or NBC Sports, depending on the show.
The event marks the latest chapter in T-Mobile's ongoing partnership with PGA of America, now in its second year. For example, at the past two PGA Championships and Women's PGA Championships, T-Mobile deployed its 5G on Demand private network to serve 5G-connected cameras in CBS Sports' production.
5G All-Around: NBC Sports, Omaha Productions, PGA of America DigitalLeading T-Mobile's presence at the Ryder Cup is the T-Mobile Breakfast at Bethpage morning show. Emanating from a custom set at Bethpage Black's legendary first tee, the production deploys 5G-connected cameras running on T-Mobile's private 5G network. Each morning, Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost hosts alongside a rotating cast of celebrity co-hosts, comedians, golf-loving entertainers, and Ryder Cup personalities, while roaming reporters capture the atmosphere in the grandstands and around the course - all connected via 5G.
Colin Jost (right) hosts Breakfast at Bethpage each morning of the Ryder Cup and is joined by a rotating cast of celebrity co-hosts - including Christopher McDonald (aka Shooter McGavin).
Meanwhile, NBC Sports - in partnership with NEP Specialty Capture - is using the dedicated 5G private network to connect its wireless 5G cameras capturing full-HDR footage and broadcasting to viewers around the world. The flexibility of 5G-connected cameras enables broadcasters to immerse viewers in the famous First Tee Walkup. In addition, a 5G-connected drone is capturing views above the course, wireless wearable cams showcase unique POVs and capture interviews from the first tee, and robotic cameras are bringing fans up close to all the action.
PGA of America's digital team is deploying a REMI workflow to produce a four-camera show using Haivision Pro460 transmitters over the private 5G network. PGA of America Digital is using the setup not only to livestream The Smylie Show, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday from under the People's Plaza videoboard, but also for live look-ins from the driving range on Sunday. The four camera feeds are sent to PGA of America's production hub in Frisco, TX, where the production team cuts the show from a REMI control room.
PGA of America Digital is using 5G-enabled cameras to livestream The Smylie Show each evening.
Beyond Broadcast: Photo Uploads, Ticketing, Concessions, Mobile AppIn addition, event photographers are using T-Mobile's 5G network and Sony PDT transmitters to instantly upload their photos to remote editors, eliminating the need for runners and SD cards and significantly reducing turnaround time.
Network slicing is also being used at the gates for ticket scanning and concessions, and smart tools - Seat Finder, AI-enabled Roar Moment notifications - in the Ryder Cup Mobile App help fans find the best views and catch every big moment in real time.
From a marketing standpoint, we've done a lot of work over the last several years to really revamp our portfolio and search for those partners that allow us to demonstrate network leadership, says Mike Gendreau, director, sports sponsorships, T-Mobile. With PGA of America, we have found an incredibly collaborative partner that I think shares our aspiration for innovation and a big focus around the fan experience. We've always been a brand that loves to be at these big cultural moments. And Ryder Cup is the culmination of not only two years of work with PGA but many more years of work refining the fan experience.
Looking Ahead: Continuing To Build Up Its Live-Production PresenceJacka says that T-Mobile has worked closely with NEP Specialty Capture (which includes the organization
