The push to use drones for news and sports coverage is underway. ESPN got FAA clearance and is using a drone to capture the action in two events of the X-Games taking place this week in Aspen in a closed course that fits within the agency’s regulations.
ESPN used the 40-inch, 25 pound drone today for the “Snowboarder X” and will send it out again this Saturday for its Snowmobile coverage.
Other media outlets are also exploring the use of drones. Just days ago, 10 news media companies announced they were partnering with Virginia Tech to test the use of drones for newsgathering purposes.
According to TV Technology, NBCUniversal, The New York Times Co., The Washington Post, The Associated Press,The E.W. Scripps Co., Sinclair Broadcast Group, Belo, Gannett, Getty Images U.S., and Advance Publications have been working since mid-2014 through the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP to develop the testing protocols with Virginia Tech.
Last week, CNN announced it got FAA clearance to test drones for newsgathering.