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NBC to use SkyCam as primary angle next Thursday night

shalise manza young
Columnist

A couple of weeks ago, when NBC had to use the SkyCam view – the cameras suspended by wires over the field – because of heavy fog during the New England Patriots-Atlanta Falcons Sunday night game made it nearly impossible to see the action from the traditional angle.

It was well-received by viewers, many of whom see it as the “Madden” angle from playing the popular video game.

Well, NBC heard the feedback and will make the SkyCam view the primary angle for its Week 11 Thursday night broadcast.

Last month, fog forced NBC to use its SkyCam angle during the Patriots-Falcons game; next week, they’ll use SkyCam as the primary angle intentionally. (AP)
Last month, fog forced NBC to use its SkyCam angle during the Patriots-Falcons game; next week, they’ll use SkyCam as the primary angle intentionally. (AP)

The network announced on Thursday that it will utilize its dual SkyCam system for the Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers matchup on Nov. 16.

“We are excited to present a game with the majority of live-action coverage coming from SkyCam,” said Fred Gaudelli, the executive producer for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” and “Thursday Night Football” said in a statement. “After pivoting out of necessity to SkyCam in the New England fog, we’ve been aggressively planning and testing with the intent of utilizing the system for a full game. Younger generations of NFL fans have grown accustomed to watching football from this angle through their love of video games.

“This telecast will have a look and feel akin to that experience. We’ll still have our full complement of cameras and will revert to traditional coverage when situations dictate, but the primary viewing experience of the game will come from the SkyCam angle. ‘Thursday Night Football’ has always been about technical innovation and new technologies, and this production will fit perfectly with that.”

NBC also had to use SkyCam as its primary view early in the second half of last week’s Raiders-Dolphins game, due to temporary smoky conditions after halftime fireworks.