Aerial Camera Systems (ACS) and EMG Connectivity (previously Broadcast RF), both part of EMG Group, have signed a four-year extension of their contract with Wimbledon Broadcast Services (WBS) to be the Championships’ specialist cameras and RF equipment supplier.
At this year’s event, ACS is supplying mostly UHD or 1080p HDR cameras as WBS expands the high-quality format support from Centre Court out to all cameras at The Championships.
Centre Court itself will include the ACS SMARThead mounted on a 10m railcam positioned along the baseline and housed within a purpose-built hide, whilst another four units will be mounted on bespoke camera brackets designed specifically for Wimbledon, including two on the umpire’s chair dedicated to player coverage.
In addition to the two tracks in Centre Court and No.1 Court, ACS is also supplying rail systems covering the southern and northern courts at the Club. Numerous beauty cameras will be in use to provide contextual coverage of the event and include remote crowd cams, coverage of the player arrivals area, Aorangi practice courts, as well as topographic venue shots from a hoist-mounted GSS stabilised camera gimbal.
EMG Connectivity is providing a wide range of kit to both the host and multiple unilateral broadcasters, supported by a crew of six during both the two weeks of the tournament and during the rig and de-rig.
Some 40 antennas site-wide will feedback to a central RF cabin in the Broadcast Compound, switched and fed into their appropriate receiver units. A wide area return video system for roving RF monitors is also provided to a number of broadcasters, allowing them to analyse footage from anywhere within the grounds, said EMG.
“This is the first year that some of the RHBs have returned with onsite presentation to Wimbledon,” said Chris Brandrick, commercial director at EMG Connectivity. “It means we will be supplying more RF cameras and RF monitors than ever before. With our seamless wireless connectivity which unites the fans and the players, we are confident we can set the bar higher than ever before.”
“We are delighted to extend our relationship with ACS and EMG Connectivity as we continue to evolve our coverage to provide new standards of quality and innovation in the broadcast of Wimbledon,” added Paul Davies, head of broadcast, production and media rights at the All England Club.
