Limitless Broadcast has officially launched its second season of covering Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), in partnership with production company Buzz 16, bringing a host of game-changing innovations to rugby coverage. According to reports, the current season aims to push the boundaries of sports broadcasting, while supporting PWR’s vision of showcasing athletes who are “powered differently.”
Limitless is responsible for delivering both the PWR’s multilateral world feed and TNT Sports’ domestic unilateral feed, all managed remotely from its newly upgraded Remote Production Hub (RPH) in Woking. The hub boasts state-of-the-art Production Control Rooms (PCRs) and a Multi-Function Room (MFR), which houses the remote Television Match Official (TMO).
Throughout the 2024/25 season, Limitless and Buzz 16 will provide weekly multi-camera coverage from major rugby venues across the UK, while also offering single-camera coverage for other matches. The season’s opener, hosted at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium, saw Gloucester-Hartpury triumph over Leicester Tigers with a 57-29 win.
What sets Limitless apart this season is its agile and sustainable production model. The setup requires minimal on-site staff, supported by a small connectivity vehicle equipped with two Limitless Connect Modules (LCMs), each handling up to four cameras. This allows for seamless transmission of visuals, shading, and commentary while minimizing the environmental impact by using a generator-free workflow.
Additionally, Limitless has introduced the EVS XtraMotion system into professional rugby for the first time. This innovative AI-powered technology enables any camera angle to be turned into super-slow-motion on demand, providing unparalleled replays and in-depth analysis. Paired with two EVS XT-VIA servers, this system offers replay operators unmatched flexibility and precision, allowing for slow-motion playbacks at 3x, 9x, or even 27x speeds, delivering detailed and emotionally charged storytelling.
Another groundbreaking feature introduced this season is Limitless’ ultra-low latency return vision system, which eliminates the delay common in remote production, offering a near real-time view to presenters and commentators with less than 100ms of delay.
Carina Filiali, Head of Production at Buzz 16, praised the partnership: “At Buzz 16, we are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of production to bring the viewer closer to the action, and partnering with Limitless Broadcast allows us to do just that. Their innovative approach not only enhances the quality of our coverage but also ensures we can work more sustainably and efficiently.”
Limitless CTO Ben Harper emphasized the impact of their new technologies: “Traditional productions rely on one or two slow-motion cameras, forcing producers to compromise on camera angles. With EVS XtraMotion, any angle capturing the action can now be played back in stunning slow motion. For Limitless to provide this is a no-brainer.”
With these innovations in play, the partnership between Limitless Broadcast and Buzz 16 promises an elevated viewing experience for fans, shining a brighter spotlight on women’s rugby.
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