YES Network Gets Creative With Aerial Drone for New York Yankees Home Games

YES Network Gets Creative With Aerial Drone for New York Yankees Home Games Local supplier Xizmo Media flies a DJI Mavic 3 drone over, inside Yankee Stadium By Kristian Hern ndez, Senior Editor

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - 9:30 am

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The House That Ruth Built. A baseball cathedral. A must-see destination for any baseball or sports fan. There are many ways to explain the importance of Yankee Stadium. The building can be enjoyed from within its walls, but some of its beauty can be experienced only from vantage points inaccessible from the ground. To give viewers that experience, YES Network is flying a cinematic aerial drone during selected home New York Yankees home games.

We wanted to add the drone for games specifically in the Bronx to capture the majesty and beauty of the ballpark and the surrounding community, says Jared Boshnack, executive producer/VP, production, YES Network. There is nothing like the experience of baseball at Yankee Stadium.

The drone has been used during selected home games this season, including Friday, June 6 vs. the Boston Red Sox.

Clear for Takeoff: Network Works With Yankees, MLB, Xizmo Media Flying a drone during a live broadcast isn't a new concept, but YES Network is doing so within the crowded confines of New York City. With air traffic from LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, vehicular traffic on local streets and major highways like the neighboring Major Deegan Expressway, the subway line that runs alongside the stadium's outfield wall, apartment buildings and living spaces clustered around the stadium's footprint, boats passing through on the nearby Harlem River, and the large crowd in the seats, drone coverage during any Yankees game is definitely complicated. Executing it in a safe manner is important, and, having adopted an approach that makes that possible, the broadcaster began working with other entities.

We have excellent communication with the Yankees, MLB, and the drone company Xizmo Media, says Boshnack. We need to submit applications and receive multiple approvals. The technology itself is incredible, and we have come a long way with access and proper deployment.

Can t beat these views #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/IsM6ZnC0Mb

YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 7, 2025

NYC-based Xizmo Media has both production and technological expertise. On the tech side, the company is accustomed to using technocranes and motocranes on the ground, cable cams slightly above, and helicopters and drones in the air. In addition to commercials, films, and television, it handles live productions including Good Morning America, Dancing With the Stars, and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

On the project with YES Network and the New York Yankees, Xizmo Media is deploying a DJI Mavic 3 drone with an ASTM-compliant parachute and prop cards in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration. The live video is fed into the onsite mobile unit via wireless and direct HD connection.

Each game broadcast is augmented with stunning shots of the ballpark. The drone isn't flown over the field of play but does perform swooping moves from outside to inside the stadium, above the building's famed fa ade, floating above the elevated subway train, and more. First used for games in June, the live shots are integrated into the pregame show and going into and out of commercial breaks. The maneuvers are controlled by a Xizmo Media certified drone pilot, who has 20 years and thousands of hours of flight experience. Visual observers help to in keeping the flying safe.

Drone shots, such as this one going from outside to inside the stadium, spotlight the building's famous fa ade.

New Look: Fans Interact With Drone Shots on Social Media With many drone shots, there are only so many flight paths and moves possible. In this first season, the broadcaster is focused on new ways to keep the looks fresh and exciting for viewers watching from home. The main trio in the truck - director Dan Barr, in charge of bringing the shots to viewers; producer Troy Benjamin, advising on the creative decisions and overall direction of the production; and VP, Operations, Mike Webb, ensuring that the drone's connection is stable and the broadcaster's technology is functioning properly - work with the entire team to brainstorm new ideas.

Our team loves the challenge of finding new looks to incorporate [into our broadcast], says Boshnack. We have the best crew in the business.

Keeping it rollin on the #YANKSonYES Pregame Show!

Come join @Boblorenz & @JackCurryYES as they break down the keys to tonight s rivalry matchup.

Watch #YANKSonYES RIGHT NOW on YES & The Gotham Sports App: https://t.co/sWMqNZ0hci pic.twitter.com/57RdCF735f

YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 6, 2025

The drone coverage has already generated fruitful results on both day and night games. The feedback has been incredible, he adds. Everyone we have spoken to loves seeing the stadium and the surrounding community showcased in this way. Day or night, Yankee Stadium always stands out.

The drone will be in action on Saturday, Aug. 9 for a doubleheader for 2025 Yankees Old Timers' Day - the first since 2019 - at 11:30 a.m. ET and Yankees vs. Houston Astros at 2:05 p.m.

With the drone, Boshnack says, we will have an even greater perspective to celebrate the Yankees' rich history and tradition.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2025/08/05/yes-network-gets-creative-with-...
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