Super Bowl-Vet AVS Packs Major RF Punch at Super Bowl XLIX

Few live sports productions present a tougher task when it comes to wireless RF operations than a Super Bowl. Yet there is never any shortage of RF cameras on hand each year for the big game and the throng of events that surround it. This month’s Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, AZ, was no different, and Aerial Video Systems (AVS) provided a stable of RF cameras and services to several broadcasters throughout Super Bowl Week.

AVS’s RF-3 mobile production trailer

AVS’s RF-3 mobile production trailer

“When you have an audience in excess of 114 million viewers, you want to be perfect, because there is no take two in live broadcasts,” says AVS President Randy Hermes. “The Super Bowl is not unlike what we provide for Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football, just a much bigger stage.”

On game day, AVS rolled out its RF-3 mobile unit and provided two RF cameras for NBC Sports’ game coverage, as well as aerials for pregame and B-roll needs. NFL Network enlisted AVS for two RF cameras during its pre/postgame shows, as well as one RF camera for NFL Network’s NFL Sound FX production.

“We had nine RF cameras working inside and outside the stadium virtually all day,” says Hermes, “and the coverage was absolutely flawless.”

AVS also deployed five RF cameras for the gargantuan Super Bowl Halftime Show, produced by NFL Network and featuring Katy Perry.

Camera operator Jeff Zachary working one of the Steadicams at Super Bowl XLIX

Camera operator Jeff Zachary working one of the Steadicams at Super Bowl XLIX

“The halftime show keeps getting bigger and more elaborate,” says Hermes. “We had five RF cameras capturing all the glitz of the Katy Perry halftime concert in PSF mode, which provided the ‘cinematic’ effect the director envisioned.”

Of course, Super Bowl Week is about much more than the game itself. AVS provided NFL Network with RF SteadiCam for its studio coverage throughout the week from the Convention Center and Univision with an RF camera for its annual Tazon Latino flag-football game featuring former NFL players and Latino celebrities.

This year’s expanded Pro Bowl format, which included a fantasy-style player draft and training-camp sessions, also increased the need for RF cameras. In addition to providing an RF camera and aerials for ESPN’s coverage of the Pro Bowl game itself, AVS rolled out an RF cam for the ESPN’s Pro Bowl Training Camp coverage and four RF cams for NFL Network’s Pro Bowl Draft coverage.

“We have a wonderful group of clients that trust AVS will always provide them with the best product possible,” says Hermes. “Our clients know that we value their loyalty and we will never sacrifice quality for growth.”

Password must contain the following:

A lowercase letter

A capital (uppercase) letter

A number

Minimum 8 characters