Level 3 Provides HD Pipe for NBC, NFL at Super Bowl XLVI

Level 3 Communications has announced that it will provide live, HD transmission services to NBC for Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, using Level 3’s Vyvx VenueNet+ technology.

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is connected directly to Level 3’s advanced fiber-optic network, giving NBC the ability to acquire and broadcast the game without having to build or manage its own network. In total, more than 3,000 hours of video content will be acquired, encoded, and transported across Level 3’s Vyvx VenueNet+ platform for Super Bowl coverage.

“For more than 20 years, Level 3 has provided the critically important broadcast backbone needed to deliver the Super Bowl to viewers around the country,” says Mike Meehan, senior vice president of Sports Network Operations at NBC. “A television event like this, which continues to set viewership records every year, leaves no room for error. Level 3’s Vyvx VenueNet+ service provides us with the performance, reliability and simplicity we need to ensure a successful broadcast.”

In addition to delivering the game, Level 3 will also carry the pre-game and post-game feeds to NFL operations centers in Mt. Laurel, NJ, Culver City, CA, and NFL Network master control facilities in Atlanta, as well as other broadcast networks and satellite teleport sites for global distribution.

“The Super Bowl is the preeminent sports event in the country, and the fact that Level 3 has delivered the game for nearly a quarter century is a testament to the level of trust the NFL and broadcasters have in us to provide exceptional service,” says Mark Taylor, vice president of Content and Media at Level 3. “We know reliability is crucial when broadcasting live video from a sports venue, which is why we continue to focus on every aspect of our delivery to ensure a flawless viewing experience.”

Level 3’s Vyvx VenueNet+ technology provides HD and SD digital video services, with added HD and SD encoding, high-speed Internet and phone support. The technology is used in all 31 major professional football venues across the country.