CBS Sports builds The NFL Today’s virtual time machine in AR
CBS Sports' graphics team discussed the vision behind The NFL Today's "Virtual Time Machine" segment, which debuted in 2024. The segment utilizes augmented reality (AR) and a motion-controlled crane to recreate historical plays live on set. The team integrated Unreal Engine for rendering and advanced control systems to manage the complex real-time graphics and camera movements.
Key Takeaways
- The NFL Today’s “Virtual Time Machine” debuted in 2024 on CBS Sports’ top NFL studio show.
- The segment uses augmented reality to recreate historical plays live on set.
- A motion-controlled crane works with Unreal Engine rendering to coordinate the on-air presentation.
- CBS Sports said advanced control systems manage the real-time graphics and camera movements.
Why It Matters
CBS Sports is using AR, Unreal Engine, and a motion-controlled crane to recreate historical NFL plays live on The NFL Today, showing how studio graphics can become a core part of the broadcast package rather than a separate insert. The setup also highlights how real-time rendering and camera control are being stitched together for live sports production, not just pre-rendered segments. The clearest signal to watch is whether CBS expands the “Virtual Time Machine” format beyond its 2024 debut segment and into more NFL studio coverage.
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