CBS Sports’ Arnold, Barrow Ready for Fast-Paced Super Bowl XLIV

CBS Sports is gearing up for Super Sunday and Super Bowl XLIV and Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports and News, is the first to admit that Super Bowl coverage in recent years has gotten to the point where it’s tough to imagine adding a lot more equipment than was previously used. But that doesn’t mean Super Bowl viewers will be in for a scaled down production.

“We will have more high-speed cameras known as SuperVision to give a much more dramatic look to replays,” says McManus. While SuperVision will capture great reaction shots McManus says the real value is on out of bound calls or close calls on the goal line.

“We will also have some new graphics looks that are interesting as we augment what we have done in the past,” he adds.

NEP SuperShooter 24 will be at the core of a production that will use 50 HD cameras, including six of the aforementioned super speed cameras from Inertia Unlimited. Also on hand will be SuperShooter 9 and All Mobile Video’s Cinetour. The latter will handle editing and control of Broadcast Sports International (BSI) wireless HD cameras.

The biggest challenge with super slo-mo shots, however, might have nothing to do with actually getting the great shot but rather giving viewers a chance to see them. The two high-flying offenses from the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints are known for running no-huddle offenses.

“That really puts a stress on the replays you can show because you don’t want to miss the snap of the next play,” he says. “And if the Colts see the Saints trying to get players off the field they will break the huddle quickly and sprint to the line to try and get a penalty on New Orleans.”

Those pressures, however, are part and parcel for working on the world’s biggest single sporting event. It’s also something the CBS Sports staff embraces. “When you get into this business your ambition is to do the biggest events,” explains Lance Barrow, producer of Super Bowl XLIV. “You get a little nervous, which is something that happens before every broadcast, but to be able to do it at the Super Bowl and be part of history is what you strive for. I can’t wait for Sunday.”

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