Super Bowl LVIII: CBS Sports To Field 165 Cameras for Massive Production

4K HDR broadcast, ‘Nickified’ Nickelodeon show put innovation front and center

CBS Sports today detailed production plans for Super Bowl LVIII. With the regular CBS Sports production complemented by Nickelodeon’s “Nickified” Super Bowl broadcast and NFL Today productions from both the Vegas Strip and Allegiant Stadium, 165 cameras will be deployed for the Big Game. The game also will mark the first time that CBS Sports presents the Super Bowl in 1080p HDR and 4K HDR.

From drones to "doink" cameras, we'll be pulling out all the stops in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII. pic.twitter.com/96iRmrsFC2

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 1, 2024

End zone pylons will be back for CBS

Among the highlights will be a Super Bowl–record 48 cameras with super-slow-motion capabilities; 24 of the cameras will also have 4K-zoom extraction capabilities. Those cameras will be deployed everywhere from ceiling to pylons, ensuring that the CBS Sports team doesn’t miss any of the big plays and moments.

In a first, CBS Sports will deploy “doink” cameras, small cameras inserted into cutouts on goal-post uprights. Six 4K cameras capturing unprecedented angles of field goals and extra points will have high-resolution–zoom capability and will also be made available for super-slow-motion replays.

CBS will deploy small cameras in the goal-post uprights.

Aerial coverage will also hit new heights with three Skycams, two Flycams (including a “trolley cam”), and three drones deployed between the stadium and areas of the Strip, including at the Las Vegas Sphere. Twenty-four live robotic cameras also will be mounted inside the stadium and throughout the city to showcase Las Vegas from high-altitude vantage points.

With augmented reality and AR graphics playing a more integral part in the storytelling of nearly every event, 23 AR cameras will be deployed: 11 on the CBS broadcast, eight on Nickelodeon, four at the set on the Strip. A collection of AR enhancements to be integrated into coverage includes graphics over the Bellagio fountains via a drone and Flycam and virtual AR studio opens showcasing Las Vegas Blvd. Studio and game coverage will feature a graphics package designed via Unreal Engine, an immersive real-time 3D animation graphic tool. The package will include a modified version of the Las Vegas Strip.

XR and ghost-frame technologies to virtually transport players to the CBS set on the Strip.

One of the more exciting enhancements planned is the use of XR and ghost-frame technologies to virtually transport players to the CBS set on the Strip.

Additional production enhancements will include:

Shallow–depth-of-field cameras — Five shallow–depth-of-field cameras will showcase players up close on the field with a cinematic feel.

“Red Cat” POV cameras — The creative POV tool enables aftereffects and accelerated live postprocessing by stabilizing, focusing, and time remapping to present replays in a dynamic way.

Techno movie bird crane — A 53-ft. movie bird crane traditionally used for major motion pictures will be located on the upper concourse, offering dramatic sweeping views of the stadium.

Falcon 360 camera — The immersive camera will showcase vivid panoramic views of the venue.

Wireless RF cameras — Twelve wireless remote-frequency cameras will include two “line-to-gain” vantage points.

Stay tuned to SVG throughout Super Bowl Week for our on-site coverage from Las Vegas.