Enhanced Reality Implemented in Extensive PGA Championship Broadcast by CBS Sports
Unleashing the Future of Golf Broadcasting at the PGA Championship
(Editor's note: The 14th hole at Quail Hollow, Charlotte, N.C., may seem just another stop for spectators and golfers attending the PGA Championship. But for CBS Sports fans at home, it's a whole different game courtesy of cutting-edge technology.)
NORTH CAROLINA - For the average golf fan or player, the 14th hole is simply one of the four majors' many stages. However, the viewer at home witnessed something extraordinary during the 2023 PGA Championship—an innovative "digital tee box" thanks to the wonders of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) graphics, 5G wireless, remotely controlled robotic cameras, and tracking data systems, according to Jason Cohen, senior vice president of remote technical operations for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.
"We're taking the tee box and transforming it into a more immersive virtual space, displaying headshots of the upcoming group, and providing detailed performance metrics for the hole, among other insights," Cohen explained.
Merging Facts and Entertainment
The so-called teleportation of the 14th tee box was born from the desire to utilize all available data in a more practical and captivating manner. "There's an abundance of data and statistics at our disposal that often don't make it onto our screens," explained Cohen. With T-Mobile onboard, CBS Sports' innovative deployment revolved around a symphony of technologies from multiple vendors.
The magic happened when all video and tracking data for this virtual presentation funneled through the lightning-fast T-Mobile 5G network, and the data streamed down through fiber connections to the CBS broadcast compound.
Home to the augmented reality engine, AE Live (an AE Live-Silver Spoon Animation collaboration) was responsible for the broadcast compound's hardware, software, and personnel. Meanwhile, a trace tower encased a Robovision robotic camera and a Sony P50 robotic camera, both capturing the required video and data for the presentation, while Animation Research Labs generated the virtual representation of the 14th hole for viewers.
Alongside the tee box innovation, viewers at home were treated to ball tracking from drones and two miniature POV 4K cameras embedded in the 18th hole's bunker, offering breathtaking shots of the golfers' fine sand engagements without compromising the 1080p HDR production's resolution.
Trusted favorites like FlyCams and drones, the blimp, and jibs also played their part, punctuating the tournament coverage with their unique perspectives.
PGA Championship's Gigantic Production
This colossal remote production brought over 700 technicians, engineers, production personnel, managers, and vendor partners, 24 mobile production trucks, and 125 strategic cameras to capture the PGA Championship in all its glory.
By analyzing every hole from tee to green, CBS Sports anticipated and catered to the course's unique aspects and used diverse camera technology to capture these hidden gems. For example, the FlyCams created awe-inspiring shots by skimming the water's surface and zipping through grandstand windows.
Thunderstorms struck the Charlotte area during the tournament setup, causing many cameras to be covered or shelved. But a flexible production schedule ensured that as of the massive day before air, the broadcast teams were in pre-game rehearsal mode, ready to capture all the action from the first golfer teeing off.
Fueling Innovation in Sports Broadcasting
The immersive PGA Championship experience demonstrated the incredible potential of AI, AR, 5G, and analytics when combined to usher in a fresh, engaging approach for sports fans. Despite the absence of some specific details about robotic cameras and other technologies in CBS Sports' PGA Championship plan, it's clear that innovation remains at the forefront of sports broadcasting.
As T-Mobile continues to collaborate with CBS Sports, fans can anticipate even more advanced and immersive technologies improving the way they consume and engage with sports content.
- The innovative "digital tee box" at the 2023 PGA Championship was made possible by artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) graphics, 5G wireless, and remotely controlled robotic cameras.
- Jason Cohen, senior vice president of remote technical operations for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, explained that the "digital tee box" transformed the 14th hole into a more immersive virtual space.
- T-Mobile played a crucial role in the implementation of the innovative deployment, offering a lightning-fast 5G network for the video and tracking data.
- AE Live, an AE Live-Silver Spoon Animation collaboration, was responsible for the broadcast compound's hardware, software, and personnel.
- Robovision robotic cameras and Sony P50 robotic cameras captured the required video and data for the presentation, while Animation Research Labs generated the virtual representation of the 14th hole.
- Viewers were treated to ball tracking from drones and two miniature POV 4K cameras embedded in the 18th hole's bunker, presenting breathtaking shots without compromising resolution.
- The PGA Championship's colossal remote production brought over 700 technicians, engineers, and production personnel, 24 mobile production trucks, and 125 strategic cameras to capture the event.
- The innovative technologies used in the PGA Championship, such as FlyCams, drones, the blimp, and jibs, provided unique perspectives for the tournament coverage.
- Despite the challenges posed by thunderstorms during the tournament setup, a flexible production schedule ensured the broadcast teams were ready to capture all the action from the first golfer teeing off.
- The immersive PGA Championship experience demonstrated the potential of AI, AR, 5G, and analytics to revamp sports broadcasting and engage fans in new ways. With continued collaboration between T-Mobile and CBS Sports, more advanced and immersive technologies can be expected in future sports broadcasting.
