Sky Sports Rugby launches Player Mic

Sky Sports will make history today as the first broadcaster to use Player Mic during a competitive rugby union fixture in the Northern Hemisphere.

For the first time viewers will hear how players communicate in the heat of the action and experience the sounds of the collisions like never before. The ground breaking game is the Guinness PRO12 fixture between Scarlets and Ulster at Parc y Scarlets this afternoon.

By attaching a microphone to Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey, Sky Sports continues to lead the way in televised rugby union innovation and improving the viewer's experience. Other Sky Sports firsts include:

Rail Cam - In 2003, Sky Sports was the first to use Rail Cam in International rugby union, a fast moving camera attached to a rail which ran up and down the pitch keeping up with the play.

Ref Cam - In 2012, Sky Sports introduced Ref Cam, a camera strapped to the referee's chest giving viewers the closest ever footage of the action.

Sky Cart - In the 2013/14 season, Sky Sports introduced Sky Cart, taking the touchscreen technology used in the studio pitch side, involving players in the post-game analysis for the first time.

Hawkeye Smart Replay - In 2015, Sky Sports became the first broadcaster to trial Hawkeye Smart Replay technology, which will be used in The Rugby World Cup.

Gus Williamson, executive producer of rugby union, said: We are always looking for new ways to give our viewers the best rugby experience possible and I'm extremely excited about what Player Mic will offer. This wouldn't have been possible today without the support of the team at Ulster Rugby who have been fantastic throughout. Their backing means we can now take fans right into the heart of the game as we get up close and personal with the players, and listen in on what happens out on the field.

Rugby fans enjoy an unrivalled schedule of live rugby union every month of the year on Sky Sports including British & Irish Lions, Autumn Internationals from England and Ireland, European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, Top 14, Guinness PRO12, HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, women's and age grade rugby.

The Sky Sports commentary and analysis team includes some of the biggest names in rugby union with over 600 caps between them. Expert analysis is provided by Jonny Wilkinson, Will Greenwood, Ieuan Evans, Scott Quinnell, Scott Hastings, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Lynagh, Thinus Delport, Shane Horgan and Paul Wallace. Coverage is presented by Alex Payne, James Gemmell and Rupert Cox with commentary from Stuart Barnes and Miles Harrison.

Non-subscribers of Sky Sports can also catch the action without a contract though online TV streaming service NOW TV. With a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, viewers can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels on TV with a NOW TV Box, on the web or via a range of devices.

Watch Scarlets v Ulster live, Saturday 12 September at 3pm on Sky Sports 1.

For further information, please contact:

Sky Sports

Sky Sports PR

020 7032 1445

Sky Sports

Follow us on twitter @SkySportsRugby

About Sky

Sky is Europes leading entertainment company, serving 21 million customers across five countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. We offer the best and broadest range of content, deliver market-leading customer service and use innovative new technology to give customers a better TV experience, whenever and wherever they choose.

Sky has annual revenues of over £11 billion and is Europes leading investor in television content with a combined programming budget of over £4.9 billion. The group employs 30,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate

LINK:	https://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/news-page/2015/sky-sports-rugby...
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