Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

ESPN Bolsters Camera Totals as Expanded College Football Playoff Enters the Semifinals

09/01/2025

ESPN Bolsters Camera Totals as Expanded College Football Playoff Enters the Semifinals ESPN will add three MindFly BodyCams on referees at both the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital

Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 5:54 pm

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

The newly-expanded College Football Playoff reaches more familiar territory Thursday night as the semifinals get underway with Notre Dame facing Penn State in the Orange Bowl in Miami before Ohio State and Texas battle on Friday evening in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington.

While ESPN will offer a slew a viewing options across its family of networks, the primary main telecasts are loaded with production tools elevating these games to the biggest ones ESPN has produced this season.

ESPN College GameDay Stage Director Mike Ruhlman makes final adjustments to the set prior to coverage of the Orange Bowl on Thursday Night. (Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

The most notable addition to the overall camera plan for the semifinals is the MindFly BodyCam. The wearable camera system sits on the chest of the referees. It has been used numerous times by ESPN at events over the past year like the Home Run Derby, the College World Series, pregame at a Stanley Cup Playoff game, the UFL, and a pair of regular season college football games in the ACC this season.

According to Jarrett Baker, Senior Manager, Remote Production Operations at ESPN, the MindFly BodyCams will be worn by three officials (umpire, center judge, and head linesman) at each of the games. Due to NCAA rules, ESPN won't be able to take audio off those systems as they have done in some of the other deployments.

On top of that, both the Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl will feature pretty similar operational plans. Both sites are anchored by more than 50 cameras, including 21 manned cameras (about eight of which are super slow-mo. There will be eight PylonCams in each endzone, as well as the line-to-gain PylonCams. The goal line pylons and the line-to-gain pylons have super slow-mo capabilities built into them. A wireless cinematic rig shooting in shallow depth-of-field will also be able to hit the field after scoring plays. That setup is a Sony FX3 on a gimbal connected to the truck via RF.

There will be plenty of aerial options from SkyCam (which has AR-graphics capabilities), a live drone from ESPN's internal drone division, as well as a blimp or plane flying above both stadiums.

For this entire CFP, ESPN has also added goal line robotics to ensure they have the best chances at having a definitive shot on scoring plays.

Comfortable in Each Stadium There's comfort level from both crews as ESPN is plenty familiar working at Hard Rock Stadium and AT&T Stadium, facilities the network visits regularly during the college and NFL seasons. The network will have more than 150 crew production, operations, and executive staff at each site.

At the Orange Bowl, the crew, led by producer Phil Dean and director Scott Johnson will work out of Game Creek Video 79, as well as GCV Edit 2.

I think we have a crew that's comfortable in this venue, says Jim Birch, Manager, Remote Operations for ESPN who is overseeing operations in Miami. We know the venue staff well since we've worked with them a few times. This is a place that call home when it comes to the playoffs, especially when we're used to doing a New Year's Six game here every year. It's always nice coming down here. We're always welcomed with open arms with the venue and it's always nice to get a little bit of warm weather in these [Playoff] games.

Meanwhile, the Cotton Bowl show, headed up producer Bill Bonnell and director Jimmy Platt, will originate from Game Creek Video Varsity and GCV Edit 1.

We come to AT&T [Stadium] a lot, says Terry Cook, Senior Remote Operations Specialist for ESPN, who is heading up ops in Arlington, where the weather has been treacherous with snow in the forecast. We know the technical people and they roll out the red carpet and work hand-in-hand in how we park the trucks. Thankfully, here we have parking underneath [the stadium]. Being inside is a blessing with the weather.

While there are ten 12-channel EVS XT-VIAs on-site, ESPN is adding a layer of its REMCO (remote) workflows for replay and graphics for Semifinals and the Championship. Four EVS operators are back in Bristol, as well as a Vizrt operator and an Associate Producer

MegaCast Options Return With the CFP semis also comes all of the pomp and circumstance of the network's various MegaCast options, which includes the alternate broadcast Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show from the sidelines at both games.

Other options are longtime fixtures:

Command Center on ESPNU (a four quadrant screen with multiple camera angles and statistic displays)

SkyCast on ESPNEWS (view plays from the SkyCam angle; it is noted that whenever the main telecast shows a replay viewers of the SkyCast will see those same replays)

All-22 (watching the game from a high vantage point that allows the viewer to see all of the players on the field; this is accompanied by the ESPN Radio call of the game)

Hometown Radio (which allows viewers to watch the game but with the feed of the team's dedicated announcers included).

ESPN Takes Pride in First Two Rounds of CFP With the championship game still to come at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, this week is far from a culmination of a long season of college football for ESPN's crew, but the team did express pride in the work done in the first two rounds of the CFP, most notably the First Round which brought playoff football games to college football campuses for the first time in history.

Each of the four production compounds at the CFP First Round sites. (Courtesy: Jarrett Baker, LinkedIn)

To prepare for that uni
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/01/09/espn-bolsters-camera-totals-as-...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

06/10/2025

France Tlvisions Wins Prestigious 2025 EBU Technology & Innovation Award in Groundbreaking Collaboration with Dalet

France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...

04/09/2025

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Dalet Win Prestigious 2025 NAB Show Project of the Year Award

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...

04/07/2025

Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Tadashi Nakamura, the Filmmaker Behind Third Act

By Lucy Spicer Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...

04/07/2025

Spotify Partners With The Reading Agency to Bring the Summer Reading Challenge to Life Through Audio

The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...

04/07/2025

Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices

Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices Brie Clayton July 4, 2025 0 Comments A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...

04/07/2025

Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K

Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K Brie Clayton July 4, 2025 0 Comments Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...

04/07/2025

Create Any Planet in After Effects

Create Any Planet in After Effects Graham Quince July 4, 2025 0 Comments The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...

04/07/2025

Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion

Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025 0 Comments Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...

04/07/2025

NESN Gives Red Sox-Reds Matchup a Retro Makeover

Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...

04/07/2025

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for July Open Meeting

WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...

04/07/2025

Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SSD

Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...

04/07/2025

CANAL+ Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive

CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Brie Clayton July 3, 2025 0 Comments Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...

04/07/2025

Official trailer revealed for new season of BAFTA-winning Sky Original comedy Mr Bigstuff, coming 24 July

Friday 4 July 2025 Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Od5WpvWmDr8 Further...

04/07/2025

Join RT Radio 1 for The Pitch, a new series exploring the heart of Ireland's GAA Clubs

The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...

03/07/2025

Introducing: New Carts

For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...

03/07/2025

Introducing: Slider Drive Unit

One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit! Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit! Our i...

03/07/2025

Introducing: ARRI EVO 360

The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...

03/07/2025

Panther at BSC EXPO 2025

What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London! We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography. A huge thank ...

03/07/2025

"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode

ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...

03/07/2025

Advanced Communication Systems Unleash a Tactical Advantage in Modern Combat Operations

To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...

03/07/2025

Paramount's Ray Hopkins Joins Broadcasters Foundation Board

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....

03/07/2025

FCC Chair Carr Lays Out Infrastructure Policy Agenda

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...

03/07/2025

TV Tech's Top NextGen TV Stories of 2025

As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...

03/07/2025

Netflix Rolls Out AV1 Film Grain Synthesis Streams for Film Content

Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...

03/07/2025

FCC's Gomez, Sen. Markey, Critics Blast Paramount-Trump Settlement

WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...

03/07/2025

Riedel Communications Unveils RefSuite Sports Ecosystem

WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team

WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...

03/07/2025

CTA, NCTA, LPTVBA Meet With FCC to Oppose NAB's ATSC 3.0 Petition

WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...

03/07/2025

Dan Whealy Acquires Heartland Video Systems

PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....

03/07/2025

Filmmaker Jay Holben Releases The Directors Guide to Ever...

Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...

03/07/2025

Capturing the Moment - Pruski Photographs Dyke Day LA wit...

For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...

03/07/2025

New Reinvented Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit

Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...

03/07/2025

Dalet Flex LTS Release Elevates Content Workflows with Ne...

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...

03/07/2025

Lightware launches LARA Wizard to help integrators simpli...

Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...

03/07/2025

Alfalite obtains NCAGE and TAA certifications strengtheni...

Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...

03/07/2025

WIN streamlines complex live production with nxtedition

nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...

03/07/2025

ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies unite under one br...

ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...

03/07/2025

Evergent Proves Cross-Industry Power of AI for Japanese G...

Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team to Dr...

LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...

03/07/2025

Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender

Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender Brie Clayton July 2, 2025 0 Comments Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...

03/07/2025

Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams

Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams Brie Clayton July 2, 2025 0 Comments Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...

03/07/2025

Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Alpert Visiting Artist

Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...

03/07/2025

Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Third Season of the Brazilian Original Series 'Criminal Code'

Back to All News Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Thir...

03/07/2025

Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the third season of the Brazilian original series Criminal Code

Back to All News Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...

03/07/2025

Centralized Cross-Platform Campaigns and Unified Sales Workflows with WO Fusion

In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...

03/07/2025

** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Expo 2025

** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...

03/07/2025

Sky Arts Unveils New Mozart Season, Celebrating the Legacy of Classicals Greatest Maestro

Thursday 3 July 2025 David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...

03/07/2025

Sky announces 2025 Sky WNT Fund Recipients

The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025 Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...

03/07/2025

GeForce NOW's 20 July Games Bring the Heat to the Cloud

The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...

02/07/2025

Release Rundown: What to Watch in July, From FOLKTALES to Oh, Hi!

Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...