Should drones be used in sports coverage?
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(Image from ABC)
As recently reported by the ABC, a competitor was injured during a Western Australian triathlon when a drone used to film the event fell to the ground.
The incident highlights the increasing use of drones to cover sporting events.
Is it dangerous to use drones to cover sport?
In Australia, Channel 9 has led the way in the use of drones in sports coverage.
“Drones are perfectly safe,” said a senior Channel 9 executive. “We replaced our entire rugby league commentary team with drones five years ago and have never had an incident – except for a few unfortunate footy show sketches.”
Channel 10 has also been experimenting with drones, with this year’s Winter Olympics coverage being done completely on autopilot.
Although controversial, the move reflected the channel’s management practices. Channel 10 has not had anyone actually steering the network since 2012.
Drones are everywhere
The main driver of drones – other than drone operators – is cost.
“Really, no one can tell the difference between a drone and a sports personality,” said one media expert. “It’s more economically viable for the networks to have machines say something stupid than pay people to do the same thing.”
Other organisations experimenting with the use of drones include Qantas, who has been looking for a way to get rid of its workforce for some time.
And in a landmark moment for drone acceptance, a Palmer United Party drone has just been elected to the Senate in Western Australia.
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