TNT Sports uses player mics for the first time in Premiership Rugby

TNT Sports brought a new innovation to Premiership Rugby recently, thanks to the launch of a Player Mic.

The new TNT Sports technology, supported by Premiership Rugby and its clubs, took sports fans to places they have never been before by bringing supporters closer to the action.

The wearable tech was worn by a Bristol Bears player in their huge derby against Bath Rugby, with a sell-out crowd expected at Ashton Gate for the West Country clash that took place on Saturday 27 January.

TNT Sports was working with Premiership Rugby, World Rugby, The RFU and The RPA on the launch.

For the first time ever in the Gallagher Premiership, TNT Sports viewers were able to get unique insight into the physicality of the sport as well as hear about the high-pressure decision making and communication that occurs on the field of play in elite rugby.

A three-person team, featuring a dedicated camera operator, EVS replay editor and producer, monitored the audio feed throughout the match to bring viewers all the best insight during breaks in play and in sequenced packages at half time and post-match.

Elsewhere, Gloucester Rugby’s home fixture against Sale Sharks on Sunday 28 January saw a new and improved Ref Cam introduced to the TNT Sports broadcast.

Luke Pearce – the referee for the Gallagher Premiership Final 2023 – wore the camera, offering TNT Sports viewers a unique close-up view of all the action.

The same camera was worn by a selected player in the build-up to the game, offering a unique storytelling tool and giving viewers a players’ view of the warm-up.

These broadcast innovations are the latest example of wearable technology to be embraced by Premiership Rugby, having overseen the introduction of instrumented mouthguards to the league ahead of the 2022/23 season.

This season has also seen the introduction of the shot clock across all Premiership Rugby grounds, letting fans and televisions viewers watch the countdown on penalties and conversion attempt time limits for the first time.