Background Info On How Networks Select Cameras For NFL Broadcasts
October 31st, 2024
OK, we all know the Bucs were hosed out of six points against the Dixie Chicks on Sunday when Antoine Winfield appeared to strip a ball (again!) from the clutches of a Dixie Chicks offensive player at the goal line.
Winfield stripped the ball from Kyle Pitts’ mitts.
There was no network camera at the goal line and because the zebras couldn’t get a clear view from the available angles, the replay was ruled inconclusive and the play stood.
Touchdown Atlanta.
Later that night, video surfaced from Sean Barie of the Tampa FOX affiliate WTVT-TV Channel 13. He stood near the 1 yard line with a camera and it sure appears Pitts fumbled.
Barie’s angle, to the best of Joe’s knowledge was the closest thing to a camera angle from the goal line, unless a fan had a better shot.
No, FOX did not have a network camera on the goal line. And FOX did not have access to Barie’s video.
If the NFL/FOX network had access, it would have taken around 15 minutes to get permission to use it, scan and edit the video and then upload it to the network. Not possible during a live game.
Joe spoke with a Bucs official this afternoon who deals directly with the NFL’s broadcast partners. He told Joe that NFL rightsholders are not required to have X-amount of cameras at specific locations at games. And there is no “template” where the NFL requires cameras situated at specific areas.
Often, Joe was informed, networks have fewer cameras for 1 p.m. kickoff games. Those games are not considered high-profile games (or they would be held with later kickoffs).
Games that kick off at 4 p.m. or primetime games have more cameras, Joe was told. How many is decided by the network airing the game.
For example, on Monday Night Football, BSPN loves to have many camera angles, often more than most other networks will.
So there was no goal line camera angle available on Sunday to offer up to the zebras to monitor.
Joe surely hopes that when the NFL uses its option to reopen contract negotiations with TV networks, the new contracts require cameras at each goal line, end line, and sideline.
I was set up at about the 1.5 yard line during Kyle Pitts' controversial second touchdown.
So here's my view of it. I tried to focus into when I believe the ball started to come out. The more I watch this, the more I think the refs got the call of TD wrong. @FOX13News pic.twitter.com/2kbBhM1Ask
— Sean Barie FOX 13 (@SeanBarieTV) October 27, 2024
October 31st, 2024 at 5:51 pm
I call bull. There is no valid reason for there not to be a goalline camera view at every game regardless of priority. Especially given the $$$$ stakes. It’s not an acceptable explanation. Period.
October 31st, 2024 at 5:57 pm
Heard this from multiple sources. Including a guy who works directly with the NFL broadcast partners with the Bucs. He would know.
Is it irresponsible on the NFL’s part? Absolutely.
October 31st, 2024 at 7:03 pm
Every stadium should have pylon cameras no matter the game time. This just shows the NFL is as serious about getting the call correct as they are about player safety. All smoke and mirrors.
October 31st, 2024 at 7:06 pm
Why do they have to be TV cameras? Why can’t the NFL or the teams have a simple set up on each goal line? Camera to laptop. The ref goes over, reviews the tape and makes the call. Cameras are so unobtrusive and inexpensive now, teams could put cameras on the goal lines and every 5 or ten yards and nobody would notice. They could all tie into a central monitor like with a home security system. The NFL has to do something because their partnerships with gambling entities will make their lack of action very suspicious.
October 31st, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Fumble. Wasn’t too sure Sunday. I am now.
October 31st, 2024 at 7:53 pm
It’s 2024 and cameras are cheap as hell, plus not to mention all the cameras in the stadium they have tracking literally every single person that enters the stadium and basically the entire time they’re inside the stadium.
Also, speaking of cameras, why in the world is the NFL still broadcasting games at 720p/1080i (not p, i, meaning interlaced or half resolution). Why isn’t the NFL doing everything in 4k? I mean just the YouTube Sunday Ticket money alone should justify upping production across the board and giving people who pay those insane prices a pristine 4K feed.
October 31st, 2024 at 8:20 pm
@Joe
This is not a challenge. You guys are way more connected to the Bucs and the NFL than I am.
But, I agree with @A Bucs Fan. Not having a camera on the goal line is bullcrap.
If I’m not mistaken all scoring plays are reviewed. How can the NFL be confident in the review if there is no film of the ball carrier/receiver crossing the goal line?
NFL reviews based on what they have, not what they don’t. Hopefully, uniform standards are mandated at the next owners meeting. –Joe
This is an issue that should be discussed at the next owners meeting.
I would imagine the players association would also appreciate more conclusive evidence on all plays.
October 31st, 2024 at 8:58 pm
We simply got robbed of a win. Take that score away and we get the ball on the 25 yard line. We won that game and it’s going to come back and bite us in the A-s
October 31st, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Let me tell you what…….
Between the uncalled obvious facemask penalties on Bucs offensive players (at least 3 off the top of my head), uncalled holding penalties on opposing offensive lines (blatant ones on Kancey’s guy), uncalled personal fouls on hits to Cade Otton, the officiating has been an absolute one-sides CRAP-STORM this year….
Adding this screw-job non-call that actually would have made a difference in this game is about to throw me over the edge…..
I’m sick & tired of seeing this peddled garbage-a$$ officiating EVERY freaken game…..
Bucs fans should be getting legal representation to put a class-action suit against the NFL for this pathetic nonsense.
MOMENTUM CHANGES GAMES!!
These one-sided calls have had a MASSIVE impact on the season 🤷🏻♂️
October 31st, 2024 at 9:30 pm
NFL is a MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR LEAGUE.
There’s no freaken excuse whatsoever that each NFL game played every week can’t have cameras on the end-zone cones for goal line plays as well as a camera on each side line to view down the field for out of bounds situations ….
That should be a damn REQUIREMENT of every game…
It’s total BS that the league doesn’t spend money to have these cameras in place for all games.
It’s a joke and a pathetic excuse….
October 31st, 2024 at 11:15 pm
Got it.They just don’t care. No standard for cameras. Whatever the networks want. Parity. Many games come down to one play. Refs are making it missing to many of the plays and deciding the outcome of the close, one play games. Don’t care to fix it. Nothing to see here folks. Move along. Go BUCS
November 1st, 2024 at 4:42 am
Watching the video again, got me more worked up as well as flabbergasted on this. Every game is high profile and meaningful, it’s the freaking NFL. Why is the NFL making all this money on 1:00 games if they don’t feel that they are not that important for more cameras? What about the overseas morning games?
In the end, the Falcons got a free TD. The game was still close and key parts of our team were out with injuries. That game should have been a win for the Bucs as well as the one on October 3rd too. Something fishy with the refs too.
November 1st, 2024 at 6:48 am
Nonsense.
The NFL is responsible for reviewing the plays, not the networks.
The NFL is responsible for having goal line (and other) cameras in place to make those reviews.
This doesn’t need to be a discussion at the owners’ meetings, or for the players association.
The NFL simply needs to step up to the plate and do the right thing.
Enough with the smoke and mirrors.
November 1st, 2024 at 8:53 am
Vegas call, fine the refs
November 1st, 2024 at 10:37 am
The NFL is ALL ABOUT MONEY. If that happened to Kansas City Chiefs, imagine the fallout over tha.t