Transformation of Sports Broadcasting and Analytics via Drones: Understanding the Role of Drone Pilots

Drones have become an integral part of the world in many industries recently, such as precision agriculture, land survey, disaster response, photography and videography, environment monitoring etc. Drones are also impacting sports broadcasting and analytics. They have significantly transformed, if not completely, how sports events are covered, analyzed, and experienced in India.

Not only the broadcasting part but sports analytics have come a long way, with the use of drones. This blog will take you through the role of drones in sports broadcasting and analytics, what all a person needs to become a drone sports analyst and much more.

The biggest plus of drones is that they can be controlled remotely, and there is no need for a person to be inside. With HD cameras and sensors, drones can capture aerial footage from all those angles, which is impossible with traditional cameras. This has offered broadcasters new ways to capture live sports, giving viewers a fresh perspective.

Talking about the use of drones in sports is that they offer live aerial shots, slow-motion replays, and real-time data gathering, essential to sports coverage and broadcasting. For all this goodness, drones are shaping up well in broadcasting and analyzing sports in India.

It would not be fair to say that drones are a new thing in sports broadcasting and analytics in India, but there is a sudden rise in the use of this technology because of the nation’s growing love for sports and the technology growing from strength to strength. Drones help broadcast sports events in such a way that was impossible to even think of some time back, improving the viewing experience. Some common applications are:

Aerial Footage: Drones provide aerial views of sports events, providing a complete view of the stadium to the viewers, and that too from high-up. This adds a lot of value to the world of sports, particularly for cricket and soccer matches, where a view from high-up adds to the zeal of the spectators.

Real-Time Shots: Drones can keep an eye on the real-time action on the field and record the same for the broadcasters to televise-take real-time action, following players or events from exclusive angles. For instance, a drone can hover over a batsman while they are ready to face a delivery from a bowler. It offers a virtually cinematic shot, providing fans with a delightful experience.

Slow-Motion Replays: Drones can take slow-motion video replays during the game's nail-biting moments. These offer viewers a good understanding of the game; when they can understand it better, they will appreciate it better.

Dynamic Camera Angles: Drones can move rapidly in the air and shoot the game from different angles, which is impossible for traditional cameras. This allows presenters to follow all the action on the cricket field and provides dynamic camera angles, making the broadcast more and more engaging.

Interactive Coverage: Some broadcasters use drones to provide interactive experiences. Viewers can choose their favourite angle to watch the sports coverage, such as the MaxView angle offered by JioHotstar in its live streams.

• The influence of drones on sports broadcasting in India is becoming evident daily, with several major sporting events using drones to improve the viewers' experience.

• The IPL was one of the primary sports events in the country that used drones in 2019.

• Drones were used to take spectacular shots, close-ups and high-angle shots of the stadium. Furthermore, slow-motion replays, which viewers appreciated to the core, were also taken by drones.

• The use of drones in cricket coverage continues to grow, with the BCCI and broadcasters like Star Sports experimenting with aerial footage. The tech has added a new dimension to cricket coverage, elevating it from traditional broadcasting to a more engaging experience.

• In 2022, sports broadcasters presented drone-assisted coverage in the Pro Kabaddi League and national football leagues.

• Drones are becoming common in sports. They come good, both on and off the court.

• Aerial shots can help coaches and players be aware of potential issues before it is too late. Drones can track player fatigue, allowing coaches to make better decisions regarding substitutions.

• With drone footage, coaches can spot weaknesses or inconsistencies in a player's game. Moreover with the use of drone in sports, coaches can analyze player's performance over time to determine areas for improvement.

The use of drones is not limited to live sports broadcasting; they have also made a mark in sports analytics. Drones gather data in real time and can analyze players' performance, monitor game strategies, and forecast outcomes.

Drone in cricket analytics transforms how teams and coaches study the game. Here are some ways drones are contributing to cricket analytics:

Tracking the Players: Drones can track the players' movements on the field during a match, providing accurate data to the coaches regarding speed, positioning, and agility. A drone can also keep an eye on the bowler's run-up and delivery, providing speed, trajectory, etc. This helps coaches evaluate a bowler's performance and make necessary tactical adjustments.

Analyzing the Shots: Drones can make videos of batsmen's shot-making abilities. This allows analysts to evaluate a player's technique and devise a strategy. If this is done for the batsman of the opposition, coaches can tell their bowlers about which line and lengths to bowl. Slow-motion replays and 3D visualizations can also help coaches provide specific feedback to players, leading to more focused training.

Analyzing the Field: Drones can track the fielder's movement in the field, providing data on their timing, positioning and reaction speed. This lets teams enhance field placements and advance their probabilities of taking wickets or saving runs.

Analyzing the Pitch: Drones also analyze pitches and track the ball's bounce, turn, and swing. This data helps teams predict how the pitch will act during innings.

Getting the Tactics into Place: Drones can let analysts study strategies and team formations. For instance, they can evaluate how players respond to diverse types of deliveries.

Some Drones and Sensors Used in Cricket

This is one of the types of drones in sports, transforming pre-game pitch analysis. Its unique, patented V-shaped design offers the drone 180-degree unobstructed views and outstanding stability. With this drone, teams can examine a pitch like never before, guaranteeing they are fully ready before every game.

Drones collect data that can be transferred to a device or cloud to be visualized on a phone, tablet, or computer. Wi-Fi, LTE, or 5G are vital for the data transfer. This data is then analyzed to provide helpful information, like a pitch report that uses HD and infrared cameras to take images that offer exhaustive visual data on pitch conditions and topology. All this data can then be combined and utilized by experts to create a pitch report.

Intel has fashioned a tiny Intel Curie computer module that acts as a wireless data processing centre with algorithms and motion sensors that are pre-installed. This module calculates 7 aspects of a bat swing, such as:

• Back lift angle

• Follow-through angle

• Impact angle

• Bat speed at impact

• Time to impact

• Maximum bat speed

• 3d swing and plane path

It is lightweight, weighing below 25 grams, and can be attached to the bat's handle. This technology helps coaches and players examine a batsman's performance and understand how they adapt to different bowlers.

Former Indian captain M.S. Dhoni introduced the first made-in-India drone, ‘Droni’. The drone has twin cameras and can be used for surveillance and monitoring. It can also live-stream movies, making it an outstanding choice for aerial photography and filming. It also has an obstacle avoidance mechanism, making flying safe and simple. Dhoni's drone launch is an important step in the evolution of India's aerospace sector.

While cricket benefits from drone analytics, other sports in India are also starting to use drone tech to analyze performance. In football, drones track player movements, monitor team formations, and evaluate game tactics. Likewise, in kabaddi, drones can track the positioning of the players and examine defensive strategies.

In 2021, drones were used to gather data on player movements during the Pro Kabaddi League. The data aided teams in advancing their defensive and offensive strategies, leading to more tactical and faster gameplay.

One can enjoy the game at the stadium without standing in queues for food. The pace of tech progression and drone AI will resolve this issue and transform your game experience. Certainly, drones cater to the requirements of the stadium audience. With drones, you can get your food delivered on your seat with just one click on the app. Air delivery will replace the traditional delivery method as drones can lift heavy items.

Drones are perfect for entertainment during halftime of the game. They can create alluring visual patterns in the sky that provide a mesmerizing experience throughout the game. There are many ways in which drones can be used to entertain fans. Many drones perform a picturesque show like that held throughout the Olympics. They also indicate and highlight the teams that grab the fans' attention.

Drones achieve the purpose of security and sanitation, making individuals feel safe. They are effective and can control crowds and congestion throughout the game, as the authorities can control and monitor a large area efficiently. Instant actions can be taken during these times to evade congestion and other problems that hinder the game.

Furthermore, drones can also be used for sanitation. During COVID, people were frightened and evaded leaving their homes. However, with drones, the stadiums were disinfected before the games to guarantee safety and hygiene for the spectators, accompanied by other necessary precautions. This allowed the fans to enjoy the game at their best.

Drones provide a better viewing experience to people as they can reach places unreachable by humans. They allow better and more efficient broadcasting through their camera to shoot diverse angles. There is much more clarity in the video than in other means of recording as drones capture every move from diverse angles unnoticed by the humans at a lower level. Drones will change the broadcasting perspective and offer an astounding experience to the audience. They will let you live in the moment and participate in the game. Drones are being used to broadcast Formula One and other races.

Drones will be useful for sports events. Tech advancements and AI will allow drones to record and make more precise decisions than referees. Drones will assist the referee by providing a second opinion during the games. They will also benefit the game by reducing mistakes and making it fair.

The camera makes drones useful for regulating the game in many ways. They make aerial mapping easy and record a terrain overview. Drones aid in surveying and mapping the field, providing a more definite location for the game. Aerial mapping is used for golf, skiing, cycling, mountain biking, racing, etc.

The use of drones in sports is transforming how sports events are broadcast and how fans engage with sports. The capability to capture aerial shots, offer interactive coverage, and offer instantaneous data has improved the fan experience. Fans can see the game from different angles and gain a deep understanding of the player's performance.

Interactive apps allow fans to control drone feeds throughout live broadcasts and choose different angles. This control advances traditional broadcasting approaches, which lets fans watch from predetermined viewpoints.

Moreover, drones can offer instantaneous statistics and insights throughout matches, such as the players' running speed, the ball's speed, or the distance covered by the player on the field. This quick access to data lets fans be more involved in the game.

Different types of drones in sports improve the overall experience of sports broadcasting and offer revenue-generation opportunities. Advertisers want to incorporate drone footage into their campaigns, using aerial views of stadiums and live action for brand promotion.

Besides coverage, broadcasters can offer premium experiences to viewers, such as exclusive access to certain camera angles or interactive features. This has led to subscription-based services that offer viewers a more customized and immersive viewing experience.

Drones are becoming useful in sports broadcasting. The Indian government has set regulations to guarantee drones' safe and responsible use. The DGCA oversees all drone operations in India and regulates how drones can be used in sports events.

All drones used in sports broadcasting should be registered with the DGCA and adhere to all regulations. The concerned authorities should also license drone pilots. This will ensure that they abide by all the regulations and that there are no major hiccups during drone operations.

While drones have transformed sports broadcasting and analytics, several challenges remain. These comprise signal interference, battery life, and limitations in drone flight capabilities. Also, there are concerns about the safety of drones in crowded stadiums, chiefly regarding their potential to cause accidents.

Though, many issues are addressed as drone tech evolves. Advances in flight stabilization, battery life, and safety features will make drones more dependable and safer for sports broadcasting.

Though drone pilot and sports analyst are two different jobs, with drones seeping deep into the world of sports, now both professions can go hand in hand. If you have a sports analyst/ cricket analysis course under your belt and a drone pilot course along with that, you can become a drone sports/ cricket analyst.

Sports analysts use their strong analytical and research skills to help teams improve their games and help broadcasters with sports broadcasts. To become a sports analyst, you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism, data science analysis, management, etc.

Becoming a sports analyst requires passion, knowledge, and dedication. It begins with loving sports and then getting into the game's intricacies. Aspiring sports analysts should expand their game knowledge by staying updated on several games and strategies. Presenting findings through gripping visuals and reports not only captivates audiences but also improves the influence of the analysis. Articulating complex analysis concisely is what sets excellent sports analysts apart.

Drones transform the sporting spectrum in India. From spectacular aerial shots of matches to offering data for player and game analysis, drones are taking sports broadcasting to an altogether different level. Their influence on cricket is notable, with drones enhancing the spectator experience, improving analytics, and offering broadcasters interactive and dynamic content.

With so much use of drones in sports, it is evident that the role of drone pilots and drone sports analysts is on the rise. Be it for analysis purposes or broadcasting purposes, drone pilots have an important role to play in the entire spectrum. The demand for drone pilots will only increase with time as more and more sports, not just in India but globally, are adopting drones.

With the increasing interest in drone piloting, the need for drone pilot training becomes quintessential.

With the evolution of technology, drones will become more essential to the future of sports broadcasting and analytics. With the possibility of new camera angles, instantaneous data tracking, and tailored fan experiences, drones are accompanying a thrilling new era for sports fanatics in India and worldwide.

For becoming an active part of the world of drones in sports, there is a need for you to have all the boxes ticked as a drone pilot and also have the knowledge about sports that you are to cover. To become a drone pilot, you can come to Flapone Aviation and, with all the practical and theoretical knowledge, fly high as a drone pilot or become a drone instructor.