Touchdown! Calrec Score with CTV and Fox Sports
UK Outside Broadcast specialists CTV and the NFL scored a touchdown in London…with flanking support from Calrec Audio!
NFL host broadcasters Fox Sports teamed up with CTV’s flagship OB9 HD truck to broadcast the New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins in front of a sell-out 90,000 strong Wembley crowd.
Broadcast live across Europe on Sky Sports and in the USA via Fox Sports, it was the first NFL league game to be played in the UK, but according to CTV’s International Business Director Bill Morris there was one reassuring constant - Calrec.
“Fox Sports Network and the NFL treated this league match as they would a match played in the USA and so there was no compromise in the way the operation unfolded,” says Bill.
“Fox travelled with their full announcer, talent and reporting team, as well as a core crew of USA operators from their regular NFL team. The A1 (sound supervisor) immediately felt at home in OB9…he was thrilled to see the Alpha as it is identical to the one he has been using on various shows in the US!”
In fact, every single NFL game is covered by a Calrec console in the USA. Independent research by the Sports Video Group claims Calrec are installed in 48% of US HD trucks and are far and away the market leaders in their field.
“The NFL and Fox Sports contacted CTV some months prior to the game,” says Bill. “From the first survey in the summer to transmission in late October, planning was conducted daily. Audio planning was critical, as the NFL audio is acquired in a completely different way to most UK Sports. Similarly, the NFL comms network is the most comprehensive and complex I have encountered in a sports operation.
“The pitch mic array utilized parabolic mics that are rarely used in Europe. Four half meter diameter, two-handled parabolic reflectors coupled with RF transmitters were strapped to audio assistants, who ran the sideline following the plays. Along with a substantial array of FX mics, these were sub-mixed and sent as aux feeds to the Calrec in OB9. Announcers, presentation positions, reporters, grams and a large array of GPI GFX triggers were added into the resultant 5.1 mix.
“The mix was then encoded, embedded and up-linked to the USA for standards conversion and network transmission. Once the CTV crew had been fully briefed by the US crew present, the rig, transmission and delivery proceeded without problem or issue.”
CTV Outside Broadcasts have been using Calrec consoles for over 15 years, and currently use Calrec in five of their seven units.
“Calrec is the industry’s audio desk of choice. Reliability, ease of use and functionality are consistent features throughout every incarnation.
“This was an enormously important game for the NFL, the first time a league game had been played on these shores. It was a mighty operation and a great success and I feel sure it will pave the way for NFL league games to be played in Europe on a regular basis. CTV is proud to have been associated with the game, and yet again Calrec has proved that it is the console against which all others are judged.
