Drone Racing in New York Gets Live Steam Broadcast from ESPN
ESPN has added a new and different kind of sport to cover for TV. According to a report by The Verge, the sports media conglomerate has signed on a partnership with International Drone Racing Association (IDRA) to air on TV upcoming drone racing events that will be happening throughout the year.
It's going to start off with the US National Drone Racing Championships which is a three-day event in New York City. It will be held at the Governor's Island this coming August and ESPN will be present there to stream live on the online channel ESPN3.
Ars Technica also reported that the footages that will be taken from the live streaming will then be edited and used for a one-hour special to air on one of ESPN's TV networks. Aside from that, it has been announced that IDRA and ESPN will be streaming first-person-view footage from the racing drones. Each of the participant of the race will be donning on a goggle that will allow them to see through the race via a stream from a camera on the front of the drone. ESPN will also cover with what's happening on the ground with the stationary people staring into their visors.
Racers will need to fly their drone through the race's course which will be around lower Manhattan and across the Statue of Liberty. Whoever gets to finish the course the fastest will be the winner. ESPN Media Zone noted that IDRA is hoping to make the coverage of the sport entice more people to joining in on the sport.
"Drone racing gives anyone the ability to fly like a superhero," says Dr. Scot Refsland, Chairman of the IDRA. "Because everyone can experience the thrill of racing as if they were sitting in the drone cockpit, the sport is skyrocketing. To go from a first ever, US national drone race to partnering with ESPN for international distribution in eight months is truly a sign of great things ahead," Refsland added.
