Skycam

Skycam is a computer-controlled, stabilized, cable-suspended camera system. The system is maneuvered through three dimensions in the open space over a playing area of a stadium or arena by computer-controlled cable-drive system. It is responsible for bringing video game–like camera angles to television sports coverage. The camera package weighs less than 14 kg (30.86 lbs) and can travel at 13 m/s (29.08 mph).

Invented by Garrett Brown (also the inventor of the Steadicam), Skycam was acquired by Winnercomm, Inc. in 2004. On January 12, 2009, Winnercomm was acquired by Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (now a subsidiary of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment), parent company of the Outdoor Channel.

"Skycam" is a trademarked name. However, with the expiration of the original patents, other companies have entered the market, and the term "Skycam" is used generically for any cable-controlled camera system. Fox Sports refers to their system as the DLP Ultimate Picture Cam, its title sponsored by the Texas Instruments projection method.

Skycam, and systems like it, have been in limited use since the mid-1980s when the technology was first patented, but until the mid-1990s progress was slow due to limitations in computer and servo motor technology.

Skycam was first publicly used in fall 1984, at a preseason National Football League game in San Diego between the Chargers and 49ers, televised by CBS.NBC debuted the first wire-flown remote-controlled camera used in sports coverage at the 1985 Orange Bowl. But its use did not become widespread until February 2001 for the XFL. ESPN first used Skycam in 2001 for an NFL pre-season telecast and then consistently in 2002 for Sunday Night Football broadcasts. Since then, ESPN and sister-network ABC have made widespread use of Skycam for NCAA football, Monday Night Football, and Super Bowl XXXVII respectively, as well as auto racing including NASCAR and IndyCar series events.

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