Live From Super Bowl LIX: Augmented Reality Graphics Play Starring Role in FOX Sports' Broadcast LIDAR technology and a partnership with AE Live power networks AR efforts By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital
Sunday, February 9, 2025 - 11:33 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
FOX Sports is taking its Super Bowl LIX coverage to new heights with a sophisticated integration of augmented reality (AR) graphics, leveraging an advanced tracking system that enhances the viewer experience like never before.
Seven cameras (among them are the low SkyCam, the All-22, and two 24-foot techno jibs positioned on the field) across the broadcast are calibrated to display AR graphics. With work from FOX Sports' internal graphics team and their partners at AE Live, the broadcaster is planning to use these dynamic graphics substantially including with a big opening graphic at the top of the game broadcast and during a big AR-starring moment that viewers should be on the lookout for at approximately 6:12 p.m. ET.
FOX Sports has a control room in the production compound dedicated to its augmented reality graphic efforts.
A key advancement in this year's AR execution is FOX Sports' partnership with Kudan, a software-based company that specializes in LIDAR tracking.
We started working with them prior to the season on a LIDAR system. The goal was to create a more robust tracking system in an open stadium environment, says Zac Fields, SVP, Graphic Technology and Integration at FOX Sports. Unlike last year's RF-based beacon system, which had limitations in long-term sustainability, the LIDAR approach scans the stadium before the game, creating a detailed 3D model. The LIDAR essentially recognizes where it is in space relative to that 3D map, providing more stable tracking, Fields added.
This LIDAR technology is particularly beneficial for maintaining AR graphics' accuracy, even when the SkyCam experiences unexpected movement.
FOX Sports has built an AR/XR booth where talent appears as if they are in an extended virtual environment.
One of the challenges with SkyCam is the slack in the lines and how wind gusts can impact stability, said Fields. The LIDAR system ensures that AR elements remain locked in place, preventing the swimming' effect that can occur when tracking isn't perfectly synced.
Beyond the game itself, AR graphics will also be heavily featured during FOX Sports' pregame coverage, including the network's set on Bourbon Street. The crew has also built out an AR/XR booth where talent appears as if they are in an extended virtual environment.
This effect, achieved through set extension technology, seamlessly blends real and virtual elements to create a more dynamic broadcast, says Fields.
The ambitious AR presentation at Super Bowl LIX is the culmination of months of development and rigorous testing at various NFL stadiums throughout the season.
We began building this system well before the season started, Fields notes. Our approach was to develop a complete AR package that integrates seamlessly with the animation and graphics used across the entire FOX Sports broadcast.
More from Sports Video Group
08/05/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Vizrt's Nicholas Jameson on AI in Workflows, Pushing Boundarie...
08/05/2025
Creating Alternative Brand Experiences: Live Sports in the Age of Fortnite, Meta...
08/05/2025
PGA TOUR's David Piccolo: Advanced Graphics and Virtual Production Tools are...
08/05/2025
Tech Focus: Advancing Immersion in Sports Broadcasting with AR and Virtual Produ...
07/05/2025
Tech Focus: Venue Sound, Part 1 - Chasing the Fan Experience Balancing audio quality and noise is a constant struggle By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
Wednesday, M...
07/05/2025
Tech Focus: Venue Sound, Part 2 - For Multi-Use Spaces, the Gear Makes the Diffe...
07/05/2025
Snow Sports Offer Opportunity for Edgy and Aggressive' Audio Natural Selection Tour, Shawn White's The Snow Leagues emphasize athlete sound By Dan Da...
06/05/2025
SVG India Summit Draws 140 for a Day of Learning, Networking Global perspectives coupled with India perspectives made for informative discussions By SVG Staff ...
06/05/2025
The CW Benefits From NASCAR's New XR and Volumetric Studio at North Carolina...
06/05/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Blackmagic Design's Dan May on the Company's Wide Range of...
06/05/2025
The FAST Factor: What's Happening in Sports' Latest Streaming Party Leaders from the NBA, NBC Sports, and Amagi discuss the latest trends in free ad-sup...
05/05/2025
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Kiloview's Judy Zuo on Ensuring Reliable AV Over ...
05/05/2025
In NAB 2025 Afterglow, Grass Valley Touts New Imagers, Production Switchers, AI ...
05/05/2025
Inside ATP Media's remote revolution in tennis broadcasting By George Bevir
Friday, May 2, 2025 - 13:50
Print This Story
From a single London hub, ATP...
02/05/2025
Ratings Roundup: 2025 NFL Draft Viewership Slots Event at Second Most-Watched Ev...
02/05/2025
Behind the Mic: MSG Networks' Joe Micheletti Set to Retire; NBA on NBC'...
02/05/2025
SVG Esports Production Summit Examines Impact of Remote, Cloud-Based Workflows o...
02/05/2025
Alternative Broadcasts With the Bucs: SportsNet Pittsburgh Provides Unobstructe...
02/05/2025
New possibilities: Creating a new production company with a difference at Moment...
02/05/2025
NBC's 25th Kentucky Derby Production Features Two Live Drones, RED Cine-Broa...
01/05/2025
Telling the story: Extensive technical set-up delivers comprehensive Special Oly...
01/05/2025
Just Around the Bend: Olympic Broadcasting Services Readies for the Milano-Corti...
01/05/2025
Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance Gets Going With Lobbying To Ensure RF Acce...
30/04/2025
With Back-to-Back PBR, UFC, and WWE Events in KC, TKO Takeover' Proves To B...
29/04/2025
Fascinating characters: Behind the Grand Slam Track partnership of Momentum Broa...
29/04/2025
Big package: Groundbreaking AR for live athletics comes to Grand Slam Track By ...
29/04/2025
High benchmark: Inside the inaugural Grand Slam Track production from Jamaica B...
29/04/2025
Engagement in the Live Stream: The New Age of Delivering the Game A conversation of streaming leaders dissects the feature sets that are winning in live sports ...
29/04/2025
Conveying emotion: BBC Sport on bringing the 45th London Marathon to viewers By Heather McLean
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 14:35
Print This Story
BBC Sport l...
28/04/2025
Joe Cohen Inducted into Cable Hall of Fame By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 5:19 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story H...
28/04/2025
LiveU Inks Deal to Acquire Actus Digital, Boost Video Monitoring and Analytics C...
28/04/2025
Small Van, Big Story: Changing the Game in Sports Broadcasting with Obvious C By SVG Staff
Monday, April 28, 2025 - 10:51 am
Print This Story | Subscribe ...
28/04/2025
SVG Sit-Down: ESPN's Chris Calcinari on New Flagship Mobile Unit, Cloud and ...
28/04/2025
A Swiss Soccer Summer: Previewing UEFA Women's Euros 2025 with BBC Sport and...
25/04/2025
Super Bowl Streaming Success: A Conversation with Tubi's Chief Product & Tec...
25/04/2025
Tariff Turmoil: Trump's Trade Policy Sparks Uncertainty at NAB and Increases...
24/04/2025
Live From NFL Draft 2025: NFL Media Splits Sprawling Production Between Green Ba...
24/04/2025
Live From NFL Draft 2025: Van Wagner Turns Titletown Into Center of Fan Entertai...
24/04/2025
Live From the NFL Draft: NFL Media Splits Massive Production Between Green Bay a...
24/04/2025
Comcast Fills SpinCo Sports Executive Ranks With Matt Hong as President, Jeff Be...
23/04/2025
Audio Helps Chess.com Checkmate Cheating Matches are produced using REMI workflows By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - 7:00 am
Print Th...
23/04/2025
Tech Focus: Intercoms, Part 1 - Key to Onsite, REMI, Hybrid Operations Intercoms keep increasingly disparate production locations together By Dan Daley, Audio ...
23/04/2025
Speaking my language: Bringing AI to the fore with real time audio translation f...
22/04/2025
Pushing the game: Growing the popularity of the 2025 Women's Six Nations thr...
22/04/2025
New Sponsor Spotlight: RedFlag AI CEO Max Eisendrath on Creating a One-Stop Shop...
22/04/2025
Live from The Crucible: BBC Sport's Phil Bigwood discusses transitioning the...
22/04/2025
Live from The Crucible: Sunset Vine makes the first subtle changes of many for i...
22/04/2025
You Are There': FOX Sports, Sony, Hawk-Eye Innovations Break Down the Latest...
Live From Super Bowl LIX: Augmented Reality Graphics Play Starring Role in FOX Sports' Broadcast LIDAR technology and a partnership with AE Live power networks AR efforts By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital 
