LiveU and T-Mobile bring drone-captured HDR shots to Fox Sports ‘MLB at Field of Dreams’

The MLB at Fields of Dreams feature produced by Fox Sports benefited from aerial shots captured by drones connected via 5G with technology from LiveU et T-Mobile.

To pay homage to Field of Dreams, the classic starring Kevin Costner, Fox Sports decided to push for a cinematic shot that required the highest technical craftsmanship. LiveU et T-Mobile played a key role for this live production. Their technology enabled two aerial production drones to broadcast HDR-captured content over T-Mobile’s 5G network using a single 5G SIM card in LiveU’s LU800 production-level field unit LU800 and a LiveU 5G modem.

Brad Cheney, VP of field operations and engineering at Fox Sports, is pleased with the performance of LiveU’s tools, stating, “The robustness we received from the T-Mobile 5G network using a single 5G SIM card in the LU800 exceeded our expectations and was a solid part of our broadcast.”

5G workflow

The workflow included two LU800 units with two 5G sim cards inside each connected to drones transmitting to a mobile unit. In addition, two LU800 field units were used for secondary transmission and two LU300 HEVC field units distributed live video to Fox News and Fox affiliates via LiveU Matrix, the company’s cloud-based video management and distribution solution.

“LiveU is part of our workflow. It’s not an add-on. We use LiveU cellular bonded solutions for secondary transmission path of all MLB games. The MLB at Field of Dreams Game production has set the bar for future special events. We are excited to integrate drones and other emerging technologies into our broadcasts,” adds Cheney.