By Marius Merten, sports broadcast manager, MRMC.
Over the past 12 months, the content of sports reporting has changed along with other media concepts. As football clubs and leagues at all levels invest in content and streaming services, the number of cameras per production is increasing to get fans even closer to the game. Many clubs rely on stitching systems, but as more content increases complexity, new approaches are needed, with fully automated broadcast systems that integrate graphics, replays and robot-controlled cameras as the gold standard. As the requirement for more angles and engagement increases, we can expect to see wider adoption of this approach.
Looking more closely at where we have come from and where we are heading, ‘traditional’ stitching systems use fixed, static cameras positioned to oversee the playing area as a whole. These systems rely on a large panoramic image created from multiple static feeds, with coverage generated by making digital crops from that panoramic view, rather than using optical zoom. However, because the resolution is limited, zooming causes images to appear blurred and pixelated.
Additionally, many existing systems rely on cloud processing, which introduces latency, rendering them unsuitable for live broadcast environments where real-time responsiveness is crucial. The core problem is that clubs, leagues and rights holders that use stitching systems often miss the ability to capture closer, more emotional perspectives.
Bridging this gap typically requires hiring operators or OB service providers, which increases cost and complexity. While this is less of an issue for leagues and rights holders with bigger broadcast budgets, many individual clubs now also cover games live through their own online TV channels and simply can’t afford the additional expense.
Where are we heading?
As a result, clubs are actively looking for higher-quality solutions that improve live output without requiring large crews.
These technologies are arriving in the form of AI-powered automated systems that combine optical zoom with robotic camera movement, enabling closer and more dynamic views of the action. Unlike stitching solutions, these systems track the ball and follow the play automatically while operating with low latency because video is processed locally on a server, not in the cloud.
So, what can these systems actually do? The short answer is: a great deal. For example, they use computer vision tracking cameras to detect players and understand their positions. The premium tier 1 systems also track the jersey numbers, the orientation and movement of players’ bodies and the ball, enabling the system to predict play direction and ensure the camera follows play fluidly. These visual data streams are processed so AI can decide where the robotic cameras should move, rather than relying on fixed algorithms.
AI can also recognise specific match situations, enabling the system to switch between viewpoints automatically, trigger automated replay sequences when significant events are detected and integrate graphics and overlays directly on the local server to support live presentation.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this approach is set to be transformational. For clubs where a lack of camera operators currently limits production quality, AI can serve as a compact, automated equivalent of an OB truck, integrating cameras, robotics, graphics and replay into a single system.
Looking further ahead
Clearly, the scope for integrating these technologies into sports broadcasting at all levels is significant. In football, clubs across multiple tiers are already using automated and semi-automated systems for training, analysis and match coverage.
At all levels of the game, however, automated systems will complement existing broadcast operations, supporting secondary teams, training grounds, and matches that are not part of major broadcast schedules. For clubs and supporters alike, the result is set to be a noticeable improvement in consistency and quality, with closer, more dynamic coverage becoming part of the matchday experience rather than an exception.
