"Formula 1's impending lens selection unveiled in Champs Live's inside look"
The 2025 British Rowing Club Championships witnessed an unprecedented level of coverage, thanks to Champs Live, a broadcast that provided meticulous coverage of every metre of the lake.
At the heart of Champs Live was Anthony Channer, the drone pilot, who emphasised the importance of delivering a quality product that immerses viewers in the racing action. Channer, who is also the Director and Technical Wizard, ensured that the broadcast lived up to its promise.
The setup for the more than 40 hours of broadcast was complex, including 3000m of fibre optic cables, 12 cameras, various operational roles, radio talkback across the site, multiple views sent to race control, standalone graphics and streaming PCs, vision mixing desk, bonded streaming, streaming devices, independent internet, vision and audio feed to the PA and big screen, and 14 commentators.
One of the highlights of the broadcast was the introduction of a boat cam, offering closer views of the rowers. This, coupled with Anthony's engineering magic, enhanced the coverage significantly.
The event was not without its challenges. The broadcast team had to contend with various weather conditions, including sunshine, torrential downpours, and a lightning strike close to the lake, which made their job more challenging. Flying a drone over the National Water Sports Centre, where the event took place, presented a challenge due to its proximity to Nottingham City Airport. Weather conditions, particularly rain, posed a challenge for Anthony in flying the drone during the event.
Despite these challenges, the broadcast team worked tirelessly from Wednesday to Monday, with the 2025 event almost running flawlessly. Broadcast Coordinator Tom Howe found satisfaction in the successful execution of the broadcast and was already considering what could be improved for future events. Anthony Channer, too, found satisfaction in a job well done and the graft that goes into it all.
The cameras used during the four-day event were at minimum HD, with some lenses expected to be used in Formula 1 coverage. While specific lens models used in the Champs Live broadcast could not be confirmed from the provided search results, it is likely that some lens models similar to those used in Formula 1 coverage were employed to deliver high-quality, zoomable, and stabilised images.
Fergus Mainland interviewed both Tom Howe and Anthony Channer for insights about Champs Live, providing a unique behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous planning and execution that went into delivering a top-quality sports broadcast.
Incorporating state-of-the-art technology, Anthony Channer, the Director and Technical Wizard, used his engineering magic to enhance the rowing sports experience for viewers during the 2025 British Rowing Club Championships, most notably through the introduction of a boat cam offering close-up views of the rowers.
Amid the challenges posed by weather conditions and a drone flyover near Nottingham City Airport, Anthony Channer pilot-ed his drone during the event, employing cameras at minimum HD quality, possibly similar to those used in Formula 1 coverage, to deliver high-quality, zoomable, and stabilised images.
