Drone Usage in Sports Broadcasting

Without a doubt, sport broadcast of every kind that has ever been shown; from the early, pixelated black and white of sport on television's early days to the omnipresent, immediate online streaming that the viewers expect now, the methods of viewing the sport have all been revolutionized, each change bringing the spectator further in. One undeniable feature over the past few years is the growing use of drones; the small, high-powered craft with high-quality cameras has fundamentally changed the ways in which sporting events can be filmed and displayed, and their effect on games has been astonishing.

A New Dimension to Viewing the Sport

Only a few years ago, the only cameras used to film the game would be positioned statically around the pitch, often on the side lines or suspended above it. Flying cameras (drones) above the pitch, along narrow corridors or high above fabulous stadia create entirely new artistic ways of watching any sport, making any sports report so much more dynamic and exciting. Drones, in contrast, open up a new perspective on sport: dynamic, flowing shots become extremely easy to obtain in a way they simply were not before. Drones can be flown above the pitch, through narrow corridors, and above spectacular stadia to provide completely novel, artistic views of any game, which adds to the richness and depth of any sports coverage. In football matches or long drawn out test cricket, for example, a drone camera shows all there is to know about defensive formations or a sport's size; its visual contribution to the sports broadcast adds a whole new layer of depth.

Crafting the Narrative of the Game

Getting the decisive moments right in any sport broadcast is vital; but the producers of sports programmes often wish to tell the entire story. Many times they will be involved in weaving together the sport and anything surrounding it. Drones can be instrumental in narrative formation in several ways, take the case of a pre match montage. A slowly descending drone shot over thousands of roaring fans will undoubtedly add an immediate atmosphere and dramatic flair to a sporting fixture that other types of cameras simply cannot; this is a shot which is often seen before the start of the first game of a World Cup or after a late winning goal has been scored in a test match and its visual storytelling value to the sport can be said to be immeasurable.

Coverage of Outdoor Sport

The sheer benefit that drones have brought about is perhaps no more evident than in outdoor sports. Cycle racing, marathon races, surfing competitions, Skiing in the Alps, and even a gigantic expanse such as a golf course are all greatly improved by the bird's-eye view that ground based cameras can never provide. A static camera may find it difficult to follow the leading element of a marathon or cycle race which may traverse dozens of miles over roads and pathways across miles of countryside, but a drone can fly with ease alongside the best performers. Drones filmed at competitive surfing events can hover high above the sport, offering an extraordinary view which none on the beach can replicate, thereby offering audiences a spectacular, film-like broadcast.

Advantages of Cost and Efficiency

As with any new technology being introduced to broadcast systems, cost and the ease with which it can be operated are key elements. Previously, any aerial shots were carried out using helicopters. Whilst they offer amazing pictures, they are expensive to run and maintain, need trained pilots to operate them and require significant logistical support. However, drones now offer the same perspective, at a fraction of the cost with much less effort; modern drones use gyro stabilization, combined with high quality cameras that ensure smooth, high definition footage is captured, all at an unbelievably affordable rate compared to current methods.

Disadvantages to Drone Coverage

However, along with the numerous advantages of utilizing the drone technology come risks as well. Primarily, safety is an issue when it comes to using these flying cameras above groups of people, or even competitors; the danger is obvious, but it is rare that anything goes wrong. Nevertheless, every attempt is being made to counter the obvious dangers; this is evident by drone flight height above competitors, strict aviation guidelines, monitoring battery power, and the weather.

Future use of Drones

The drone has already come a long way, very quickly; in the next few years further advances in drone technology promise to enhance sport broadcasting even more. Advanced tracking technology will lead to smarter and more fluid flight patterns, enabling even greater sophistication to be attained with drone flight, and individual competitors could be followed more closely throughout matches and games with greater ease. Furthermore, cameras will be increased in resolution and definition even more; this will be invaluable for providing the rich and spectacular visual images that fans and viewers desire from their coverage of the sport.

Conclusion

Drones are now a hugely vital and helpful element in sports broadcasting, for they provide an all-new viewing perspective; the stories being told in games are completely altered as are the ways in which traditionally impossible events, that previously the viewing audience couldn't witness due to the sheer expanse, or challenging terrain, were broadcast. Therefore it is safe to say that drones truly belong at the heart of sports television.