NBC is trying something new next week: Skycam as the default NFL camera angle. In other news, the next set of ESPN layoffs is imminent, a one-time ESPN lifer is now at Fox Sports, and an active NFL player will call a game.
NBC to Use Skycam As Primary Camera Angle
NBC Sports will use Skycam as the primary camera angle for next week’s Titans-Steelers Thursday Night Football game. The move, announced yesterday, comes after NBC had to improvise with Skycam during recent Sunday night games because its usual camera angle was obscured by dense fog or smoke. The first such usage, on a Falcons-Patriots game three weeks ago, won favorable reviews on social media. The network says it has been exploring the use of Skycam on a full game ever since. During live play, Skycam resembles the default camera angle seen on popular NFL video games. [NBC Sports PR 11.10]
More ESPN Layoffs Coming
ESPN will lay off another hundred employees after Thanksgiving, Sports Illustrated reported Thursday, its second round of layoffs this year. Unlike the first round in May, which exclusively targeted talent, the upcoming cuts will affect both talent and behind-the-scenes personnel. Once the next layoffs are completed, ESPN will have cut 500 jobs in just over two years’ time. News of the layoffs was first reported by Sporting News. [SI.com 11.9]
Schwab to Fox
Former ESPN statistician Howie Schwab, who was laid off by the company in 2015, has joined Fox Sports as a college basketball bracket prognosticator, it was announced this week. Schwab, who most recently worked for the NBCSN game show Sports Jeopardy!, will appear in studio throughout the season. [Fox Sports PR]
Active Player to Work Game on FOX
Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen will join the NFL on FOX as a guest analyst for Rams-Vikings November 19, just the third time an active player has called an NFL game for the network. He will work alongside Fox Sports’ “B” team of Kevin Burkhardt and Charles Davis. Olsen has zero on-field duties that week; not only is he on injured reserve, but Carolina is on a bye. [Fox Sports PR]
