In the case of CBS on Feb. 3, it was a little bit of both.
The network’s broadcast of the Super Bowl, the premier broadcast in United States television of virtually any given year, went off with very few hitches because of the professionals pointing the cameras, a pair of quick thinking sideline reporters — and of course, great content (which included a competitive game).
The production crew was on point, with 62 cameras pointed at the field, the stands of the frenetic Louisiana SuperDome, the sidelines of the oft-mentioned HarBowl or SuperBROwl, and the field of play. When Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker attempted a fake field goal on 4th and 9 from deep in San Francisco territory, the cameras were perfectly positioned behind the player to capture every moment of the gutsy call in the second quarter. Similarly, when the Ravens’ Jacoby Jones rattled off an NFL record-tying 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the main camera panned, zoomed and floated perfectly to match the seven seconds of one of the more amazing sights in football.
The cameras were even on point in the stands. When the lights went out in the SuperDome for nearly 35 minutes, the electricity was cut to the booth that included play-by-play voice Jim Nantz. With several seconds of silence a few minutes into the third quarter, and access to only 11 cameras, visuals floated in of confused fans, searching coaches and players attempting to continue in the dimly lit stadium. Nantz and color analyst Phil Simms remained silent, even after a commercial break, but sideline reporters Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots quickly jumped in to reign in the situation and provide some context for the situation — twice.
Noted media critic Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated pointed out on Twitter,
Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots held it down in a situation nobody expected. Props.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) February 4, 2013
while NFL Network’s Rich Eisen quipped it was the “nuttiest 3rd quarter in Super Bowl history.”
Of course, it didn’t hurt that the game provided plenty of its own drama. After Baltimore stormed to a 21-6 halftime lead behind quarterback Joe Flacco, San Francisco appeared to use the blackout hiatus by coming back with two touchdowns in less than two minutes to make a game of it before the Ravens hung on for a 34-31 victory (just as Vegas predicted).
Of course, it didn’t hurt that the game provided plenty of its own drama. After Baltimore stormed to a 21-6 halftime lead behind quarterback Joe Flacco, San Francisco appeared to use the blackout hiatus by coming back with two touchdowns in less than two minutes to make a game of it before the Ravens hung on for a 34-31 victory (just as Vegas predicted).
Not even the network’s censors failing to cover Flacco shouting “This is f***ing awesome!” at the ravenous crowd could upstage the broadcast. Thanks to the behind-the-scenes professionals, two quick-thinking reporters and a great game, CBS pulled off a scene fit for the biggest television event of the year.
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