@ESPNTennis with New Technology for First Exclusive US Open

Tennis

@ESPNTennis with New Technology for First Exclusive US Open

  • “freeD” Shows Replays from any Angle – A First at a Tennis Major
  • “RailCam” Behind Baseline Debuts at Ashe Stadium
  • “SpiderCam” Roams the Skies Every Day for First Time at US Open
  • First ESPN-Exclusive US Open Begins August 31

For ESPN’s first exclusive coverage of tennis’ US Open – 130 hours on ESPN and ESPN2 from first ball to last ball August 31 – September 13 – fans will enjoy new looks from different angles on both live and replay action from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. For the first time at one of tennis’ four Majors, “freeD” replay technology will be employed, with a “RailCam” at one end of the court, and for the first time “SpiderCam” will soar above the action every day of the tournament.

“We aim to present a US Open like never before, with camera and replay angles to cover every inch of the action on Ashe, supplementing and enhancing the analysis and storytelling from our roster of tennis voices,” said Jamie Reynolds, vice president, production. “As fans get invested in the great drama, athletes and personalities, we will reward them with a fresh and dynamic presentation to capture every nuance and moment on this grand stage, the largest in the sport.”

The freeD replay technology at Ashe Stadium – never used before by any network at a tennis Major – freezes the action then “turns” to show any different angle. ESPN had been introduced to it and recognized its benefit for tennis, at the BNP Paribas Open from Indian Wells, Calif.

RailCam, a robotic camera that moves silently along the base of the wall on the southern end of Ashe Stadium, provides a superior ground-level look than the traditional static camera at a higher angle. It is particularly useful in studying a player’s footwork and seeing the action from his or her point of view. The system is utilized for both live coverage and replay, with the robotic camera being operated by a technician stationed outside of the court.

SpiderCam, which debuted at the US Open in 2010 and exclusive to ESPN for five years, will be used every day of the tournament for the first time. Suspended high above the court and fans and able to move in all three dimensions with a camera that can pan, tilt and zoom, SpiderCam is used in replays as well as live shots, including on-court interviews and closeups during warmups and going in and out of commercials. The original 2010 press release announcing SpiderCam:

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2010/09/at-us-open-espn%E2%80%99s-spidercam-shows-whatever-a-spider-can/

ESPN has televised the US Open since 2009. An 11-year agreement with the USTA for exclusivity was announced in May 2013. A complete look at ESPN’s plans for the 2015 US Open: http://es.pn/1ECwZws

Highlights

  • During the first week of the tournament, the television coverage will start on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET each weekday and will continue nonstop – transitioning to ESPN2 (except Tuesday) – for at least 10 hours through both the day and the 7 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM sessions until play is concluded.
  • With ESPN’s new exclusivity, new day-long coverage over Labor Day Weekend will now be found in one place – ESPN2, starting at 11 a.m. all three days.
  • Beginning with the quarterfinals Tuesday, Sept. 8, all the TV coverage is on ESPN (except Wednesday evening).
  • Play will begin each day on ESPN3 – at 11 a.m. through Wednesday, Sept. 9, and at noon the final four days – totalling 1,100 hours of action from up to 11 courts simultaneously, including the Mixed, Women’s and Men’s Doubles Championships. For the semifinals and singles championships, a separate ESPN3 Surround feed with offer three perspectives – the traditional TV angle plus cameras focused on each player.
  • ESPN’s first US Open Women’s and Men’s Championships (excluding the 2009 Women’s and 2010 Men’s Championships which were aired on ESPN2 after rain postponements) will conclude the coverage.
  • WatchESPN will deliver the ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the award-winning WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV to more than 93 million households nationwide via an affiliated video or internet provider.

ESPN & the 2015 US Open

Date Time (ET) Event Network(s)
Thur Aug 27 11:30 a.m. Men’s and Womens’ Singles Draw ESPN3
Sun Aug 30 1 p.m. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess ESPN2
  2 p.m. SportsCenter at the US Open ESPN2
Mon Aug 31 10:45 a.m.
1 p.m.
US Open First Round ESPN3
ESPN
  6 p.m. US Open First Round ESPN2
Tue Sep 1 10:45 a.m.
1 p.m.
US Open First Round ESPN3
ESPN
Wed Sep 2 10:45 a.m.
1 p.m.
US Open Second Round ESPN3
ESPN
  6 p.m. US Open Second Round ESPN2
Thur Sep 3 10:45 a.m.
1 p.m.
US Open Second Round ESPN3
ESPN
  5 p.m. US Open Second Round ESPN2
Fri Sep 4 10:45 a.m.
1 p.m.
US Open Third Round ESPN3
ESPN
  6 p.m. US Open Third Round ESPN2
Sat Sep 5 10:45 a.m.
11 a.m.
US Open Third Round ESPN3
ESPN2
Sun Sep 6 10:45 a.m.
11 a.m.
US Open Round of 16 ESPN3
ESPN2
Mon Sept 7 10:45 a.m.
11 a.m.
US Open Round of 16 ESPN3
ESPN2
Tue Sep 8 10:45 a.m.
Noon
US Open Quarterfinals ESPN3
ESPN
Wed Sep 9 10:45 a.m.
11 a.m.
US Open Quarterfinals ESPN3
ESPN
  8 p.m. US Open Men’s Quarterfinals ESPN2
Thur Sep 10 Noon
7 p.m.
US Open Doubles MatchesUS Open Women’s Semifinals ESPN3
ESPN
Fri Sep 11 Noon US Open Mixed Doubles Championship ESPN3
  3 p.m. US Open Men’s Semifinals ESPN / ESPN3
Sat Sep 12 Noon US Open Men’s Doubles Championship ESPN3
  3 p.m. US Open Women’s Championship ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes
Sun Sep 13 Noon US Open Women’s Doubles Championship ESPN3
  3:30 p.m. US Open Men’s Championship Blue Carpet Special ESPN
  4 p.m. US Open Men’s Championship ESPN

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Dave Nagle

As I write this on 11-11-21, it's now 35 years for me at ESPN, the only real job I’ve ever had. I joined merely to help with the upcoming America’s Cup in Australia. I was told it would be for three months at all of $5.50 per hour. I like to say I simply kept showing up. I’ve worked on almost every sport, plus answered viewer calls and letters (people used to write!), given tours, written the company newsletter and once drove NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon to the local airport. My travels have been varied…I’ve been to Martinsville, Darlington, Indy and Super Bowls; the America’s Cup (all 3) in San Diego and College GameDay in the sport’s meccas such as Eugene, Auburn, Lubbock, Stillwater and more; the NBA Finals, Wimbledon (16 times and counting) and the “other Bristol,” the one with a race track in Tennessee. These days, my main areas are tennis, UFC, boxing, network-wide ratings (by month/quarter/year), and corporate communications documents, including fact sheets, chronologies, lists and nearly 35 of the Year in Review press releases. UPDATE EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER: Today, November 11, 2022, I am retiring from ESPN -- 36 years to the day I began. As I ride off into the sunset – top down and E Street Radio blaring – I do so with so many wonderful memories, proud of my contributions and a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity. 
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