When innovation beckons, sometimes it comes in the form of a drink, or a doink, at the most pivotal moments.
During the previous Super Bowl, CBS Sports’ Jason Cohen and Mike Francis were seated in the end zone when Harrison Butker of Kansas City attempted a 42-yard field goal that hit the left upright. Cohen, CBS’s vice president of remote technical operations, quickly reached out to the league’s broadcasting department about installing cameras within the uprights.
Now, the much-anticipated doink camera is ready for its premiere on Super Bowl Sunday.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled. Whether we get to see a doink or not doesn’t define this camera’s success. It offers a singular perspective, enriched with super slow-motion capabilities, that enhances the storytelling of the field,” Cohen expressed.
This Super Bowl will see CBS present the event for the 22nd time, an achievement that no other broadcast network can tout. As the NFL’s 11-year broadcasting contract commences, it offers each network a shot at airing the Super Bowl every four years, with ESPN/ABC waiting until 2027 for their turn.
“This broadcast will feature an unprecedented level of technological marvels,” commented Harold Bryant, CBS Sports’ executive producer and EVP of production.
Among the advanced features are six 4K cameras in each goalpost, offering internal and external views, and zoom capabilities that can detail the precision of each kick. Tested during selected NFL games, even former NFL kicker and CBS analyst Jay Feely contributed to ideal camera placements.
There’s potential for the doink camera, presently a unique innovation for the Super Bowl, to become a regular part of future NFL broadcasts alongside pylon cams.
However, CBS intends to strategically incorporate these camera angles, aiming to reinforce the game’s story rather than using them frivolously,” stated Bryant.
CBS will employ 165 cameras for the event, with additional setups across Las Vegas, including an impressive vantage point atop the Stratosphere.
Both CBS and Nickelodeon will also integrate 23 augmented reality cameras, adding a playful touch as SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star appear to join the commentary team with Noah Eagle and Nate Burleson.
Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke, the renowned voices behind SpongeBob and Patrick, will enact their roles live, a first in the history of the SpongeBob series, according to Kenny.
Last Christmas, in a social moment that caught fire, Fagerbakke offered live commentary during the NFL game, rooting for Russell Wilson despite his interceptions.
“We’re seeing the perfect marriage of augmented reality and live broadcast with the Nickelodeon show. It’s a meaningful, narrative-driven innovation,” Cohen added.
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FAQ Section
- What is the doink camera?
The doink camera is a new camera system placed inside the goalposts to capture unique views of field goal attempts and other end zone action during NFL games. - Will other networks use the doink camera?
If the doink camera proves successful, it may become a standard feature in NFL broadcasts, similar to the pylon cam. - How does the Nickelodeon broadcast enhance the viewing experience?
The Nickelodeon broadcast incorporates augmented reality, with characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star engaging with the audience in a unique and playful manner.
Conclusion
CBS’s utilization of innovative technology in their Super Bowl broadcast promises to revolutionize the viewing experience. Technologies like the doink camera and augmented reality are examples of how networks are seeking to attract and engage audiences in novel ways. This year’s Super Bowl looks set to be an exemplar of how advancements in broadcasting technology are reshaping the way we view and interact with one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.