Tech focus: Specialist camera innovation still driving growth despite broadcast industry commercial pressures By David Davies
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - 10:34
Print This Story
Despite the challenging commercial environment affecting both public and private sector broadcasters, demand for new specialist cameras remains relatively buoyant in sports and selected entertainment verticals such as live music.
With a long and distinguished history of providing specialist cameras and customised solutions to sports broadcasters, Camera Corps is well-positioned to chart the current and long-term trajectories of demand. Commercial manager Barry Parker acknowledges the challenges facing broadcasters at present but is also upbeat about their continuing interest in innovative new specialist cameras.
The industry is focused on developing higher quality, more efficient, faster-to-rig, more sustainable solutions at cost-effective price points, he says. Continuous innovation drives improvements in sensor technology, frame rates, power efficiency, physical size and low-light capabilities of specialist cameras.
Among the emerging trends, he cites the rise of AI-driven automation for tasks such as player tracking and auto-adjustment of camera settings; higher resolution cameras allowing for enhanced cropping and re-framing; sustainability prioritisation regarding camera production, lifespan and disposal; and new solutions that are customer-driven so they align fully with user needs.
Parker also indicates that there is a broader emphasis on operational context these days, for instance at large sports events where real estate is limited. Something that is considered more of a longer-term objective here is to integrate broadcast, officiating cameras, and augmented reality systems for live content capture and analysis into one system. Although this is not always possible due to rights, formats and schedules.
While general spending is tight, targeted investments in technologies that demonstrably cut costs or increase revenue are still a high priority
In terms of specific camera types that are most in-demand, it will not come as a surprise to discover that the rollcall includes compact PTZs. Despite widespread need, it seems the broadcast rental industry simply doesn't have enough supply during peak periods, and this becomes a balancing act for suppliers in this market, along with managing the lifespan of a camera in the environments they are used, he adds.
There is also a consistent level of interest in high-frame-rate mini-cameras, suitable for field of play immersive shots and VAR-style review applications, as well as weatherproofed and submersible cameras for aquatics and other extreme condition sports. Parker says: Our suite of underwater cameras, both tracking and PTZ, are now upgraded to 4K, enhancing visibility in professional swimming events and other challenging environments.
Fresh production techniques and increased coverage of more niche sports is also contributing to added requests for customised solutions. As an example, we recently developed a camera embedded in the wall hand hold for speed climbing. Our client needed an innovative, integrated camera that fitted their budget. These bespoke requests highlight how we not only refresh technology and ideas, but actively engineer solutions tailored to specific sports, says Parker.
Content from new perspectives
Benoit Dentan, founder and CEO of aerial filming and multi-dimensional tracking solutions company XD Motion, also references the need for camera solutions supportive of AR applications. For AR to be effective, virtual graphics must be perfectly synchronised with the real-world action, which requires high-quality camera tracking data. This transforms the camera from a simple imaging device into a precision data-gathering tool, capturing position, orientation, and lens information.
This requirement has informed the development of XD Motion solutions such as the high-speed cablecam X fly 1D mini. Dentan says: Its true innovation lies in combining breathtaking speed with perfectly stable, mechanically tracked data. This is crucial for making live AR graphics appear seamlessly integrated with the on-screen action. We successfully deployed this system for the UCI Track Champions League, delivering spectacular live AR shots over RF and 5G, bringing viewers closer to the intensity of the race than ever before.
Control and automation of complex production environments is another market priority - something XD Motion has responded to with its IO.BOT software, which allows a single operator to control and automate a fleet of up to 16 different robotic systems - from PTZ and robotic arms to dollies and track , notes Dentan.
Surveying the market more generally, he says that there is a surging demand for content from new perspectives. Aerial and robotic systems such as drones, cablecams and robotic arms are capturing breathtaking shots once considered impossible, bringing viewers closer to the action . And despite economic pressures, broadcasters remain willing to invest in solutions that increase efficiency, boost viewer engagement and/or generate new revenue: In short, while general spending is tight, targeted investments in technologies that demonstrably cut costs or increase revenue are still a high priority, he adds.
A space that's still evolving
Camera solutions specialist Batcam is also in the happy place of finding that demand is robust despite broader industry fluctuations. The challenge has always been around resources rather than sales, and so we're lucky that we're still growing - as we have done for the past 12 years, says CEO and co-founder Jon Hurndall. For instance, our first major product was a kind of UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] system, and the use of those has continued to grow over
North America Stories
08/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 1By SVG Staff
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 6:56 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
The 2025...
08/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Bill Rasmussen, the Entrepreneur Who Drea...
08/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Live Production Innovation Workshop Goes Deep on ST 211...
08/12/2025
#GALSNGEAR Announces East, West Leadership Retreats for 2026By Ken Kerschbaumer
Monday, December 8, 2025 - 9:10 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story High...
08/12/2025
MediaKind Acquiring Harmonic's Video Business to Create New Streaming-Video ...
08/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: Sony HDR/SDR Camera Shading Techniques for Live Production...
08/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: NESN's Kenny Elcock and Harmonic's Jean Macher Talk Next-G...
08/12/2025
Monsters Funday Football,' ESPN's Latest Live Animation Effort, Advances...
08/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: ESPN Director Jeff Nelson on Calling the (Animated) Action on Mon...
08/12/2025
Monsters Funday Football': Louisiana Philharmonic Delivers Again With Orches...
08/12/2025
Nielsen's robust data offering enables marketers to connect with their target audience more effectively and drive better results throughout Amazon's adv...
08/12/2025
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with an all-cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstandin...
08/12/2025
EMERYVILLE, Calif. Media and entertainment technology and services provider Advanced Systems Group has named Macky Beheshti as director, enterprise storage and ...
08/12/2025
DENVER MediaKind, a global provider of cloud-based video streaming technology announced today that it is acquiring the video business of Harmonic Inc. for appro...
08/12/2025
NEW YORK Nielsen has announced that its Audience Segments from Nielsen Marketing Cloud (NMC) are now available across the Amazon Ads marketplace, including the ...
08/12/2025
Marshall Electronics showcases the CV355-27X-ND3 Optical Zoom NDI (NDI HX2, NDI HX3) Camera at ISE 2026 (Booth 4N900). Designed for users seeking high-quality ...
08/12/2025
Cinnafilm today announced the immediate availability of IPx LIVE and Tachyon LIVE, delivering broadcast-grade, real-time IP video transcoding and motion-compens...
08/12/2025
Following a successful 45th anniversary year in 2024, Hiltron reports increasing demand for its wide range of satellite communication equipment manufacturing, p...
08/12/2025
When was the last time you updated your default playlist(s)? A default playlist keeps your station(s) on the air should your team ever miss a step in sending mu...
08/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix ISP Speed Index for November 2025
Product
08 December 2025
Global
Link copied to clipboard
This month marks 15 years of the Netfl...
08/12/2025
Back to All News
Another Exciting Chapter in Our Book-to-Screen Journey and What's to Come
Entertainment
08 December 2025
Global
Link copied to clipboa...
07/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix Takes Over the Oslo Skyline With Celebratory Troll 2 L...
06/12/2025
In a live broadcast from the Reagan National Defense Forum, L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher Kubasik joined Morgan Brennan on CNBCs Closing Bell: Overtime. Ku...
06/12/2025
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. A new survey from Pixitmedia by Datacore revealed a major shift in the Media & Entertainment industry in media archiving, with 85% of resp...
06/12/2025
HACKENSACK, N.J. LiveU has announced that the national public broadcaster Czech Television has completed one of the largest LiveU live production deployments fo...
06/12/2025
NEW YORK The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) presented the Excellence in Production Technology Emmy Award to NASA+ and Dr. Tom Leight...
05/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Curt Gowdy Jr. - Master Storyteller, Nati...
05/12/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Veritone's Sean King on the Power of Mining Video, Audio DataThe company's Data Refinery offers users total control and governance over da...
05/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: Inside the Nashville Predators' Unified, Flexible, Sca...
05/12/2025
Netflix Reaches Agreement To Acquire Warner Bros. Following Planned WBD SplitThe deal does not include WBDs sports assets like TNT Sports (US, UK, LatAm), Euros...
05/12/2025
FOX Sports Returns to Indianapolis for Primetime Broadcast of Big Ten Championsh...
05/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Digital Engagement & Monetization Workshop Tackles the ...
05/12/2025
Atlanta United Lights Up New Emory Healthcare Studio With First Live Broadcast f...
05/12/2025
As Messi Takes the Pitch, MLS, Apple, NEP Roll Out Largest MLS Cup Production Ev...
05/12/2025
ESPN Enters College Football's Most Intense Month With Elevated Workflows fo...
05/12/2025
It's about that time! Awards season is in full swing, and the Film Independe...
05/12/2025
LOS ANGELES Netflix announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion....
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Nielsens Gracenote has launched Gracenote Content Connect, a new ad platform that provides agencies, brands, supply-side platforms (SSPs) and demand-si...
05/12/2025
NEW YORK In an important update to the workings of deal-based programmatic advertising, IAB Tech Lab has released version 1.0 of its Deals API for public commen...
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Pass the turkey. Pass the stuffing. Pass the cranberry sauce. All are common requests of Americans celebrating Thanksgiving Day with family and f...
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Iris, the new cloud-connected camera control platform, has officially launched with features that turn virtually any PTZ camera into a software-connect...
05/12/2025
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. Netflix announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion....
05/12/2025
NEW YORK Iris, the new cloud-connected camera control platform, has officially launched with features that turn virtually any PTZ camera into a software-connect...
05/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has approved AT&T's $1.02 billion acquisition of spectrum from UScellular in a decision that was issued sho...
05/12/2025
The Best Coldplay Songs: 21 Tracks That Shoot for the Stars From Yellow to Viva La Vida, Fix You to Paradise, this playlist goes back to the start.
December ...
05/12/2025
Zafris Lecture Series Brings Nabil Ayers to Berklee The 32nd annual James G. Zafris Distinguished Lecture series was held on Thursday, November 13, with guest...
05/12/2025
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the First Look for Land of Sin' - Premier...
05/12/2025
Introducing New Perks to Help You Get Even More from LinkedIn Premium Published on Dec 5, 2025 Categories: Company News, Product News
LinkedIn Corporate Co...
05/12/2025
Back to All News
Don Lee, Lee Jin-uk, and Lalisa Manobal to Star in Netflix Act...
Tech focus: Specialist camera innovation still driving growth despite broadcast industry commercial pressures By David Davies 
