Download This PaperUse of Drones in Sports Broadcasting
33 Ent. & Sports Law, Issue 3. 79, 93, 2017
17 Pages Posted: 17 Apr 2020 Last revised: 24 Apr 2020
Date Written: 2017
Abstract
Since the world’s frst television news helicopter the KTLA “Telecopter” changed the landscape of reporting in 1958, aerial coverage has come a long way. Cameras attached to unmanned aerial systems (“UAS”s), in other words “drones”, are the latest technological advancement in the storied history of aerial footage. These bird-eyes in the sky capture incredible videography and photography from such vantage points, which were previously possible, if at all, by helicopters and zeppelins, at a dramatically higher operation cost compared to drones.
In addition to being affordable, drones are also small in sizes and more flexible than the traditional cable-suspended camera systems. Thus drones offer broadcasters and journalists many benefits that traditional news-gathering techniques cannot, by allowing the journalist to get much closer to the subject than regular cameramen. Redefining aerial coverage, drone technologies seem to be the future of aerial sports photography and broadcast. They can increase the viewing pleasure especially in extreme and outdoor sports, by making the sporting event stand out from the competition with aerial footage that would amaze the spectator. As each technology has its own advantages and limitations, there are also challenges in the emerging drone business. The stakeholders face far-reaching issues such as the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) regulations, product liability, counter-UAS technologies and data privacy concerns. The insurance industry also develops specific types of policies designed to navigate and mitigate the risk born by UAS manufacturers, operators, and users.
This article seeks to map the present and potential practical, legal and policy landscape and encourage further research and brainstorm regarding the deployment and integration of drones in sports broadcasting.
Keywords: Drones, Safety, Regulations, Small Unmanned Aircraft, FAA, Flight, Innovation, Images, Photography, Video, Media, Olympics, Personal Accident, Commercial, Entertainment, Sports, Law, Football, NFL, Baseball, MLB, NCAA, Soccer, FIFA, FIS, Ski, EASA
JEL Classification: L82, L83, K1, K10, K15, K2, K32, R41
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Zehra Betul Ayranci (Contact Author)
University of California Berkeley School of Law ( email )
215 Law Building
Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
United States