Instant replay
In media studies, the timing and length of the replay clips as well as the selection of camera angles, are forms of editorial content that have a large impact on how the audience perceives the events covered.
During a 1955 Hockey Night in Canada broadcast[1][2] on CBC Television, producer George Retzlaff used a "wet-film" (kinescope) replay, which aired several minutes later.
[3] CBS Sports Director Tony Verna invented a system to enable the standard videotape machine to instantly replay on December 7, 1963, for the network's coverage of the US military's Army–Navy Game.
"[4] The problem with older technology was finding the desired starting point; Verna's system activated audio tones as the exciting events unfolded, which technicians could hear during the rewinding process.
However, as Erik Barnouw says in his book Tube of Plenty: The Evolution of American Television," With replay technology, brutal collisions became ballets, and end runs and forward passes became miracles of human coordination.
During the live television transmission of sports events, instant replay is often used to show again a passage of play that was especially important or remarkable, or that was unclear at first viewing.
Instant replays are used today in broadcasting extreme sports, where the speed of the action is too high to be easily interpreted by the naked eye.
A 2019 Sports Video Group survey revealed that 213 of 257 HD mobile production trucks were using some form of EVS replay gear.
[9] Evertz Microsystems' DreamCatcher [10] replay system is also widely used by college and pro sports clubs, including teams in the NBA, MLB, and NHL.
Due to the cost of television cameras and other equipment needed for a video referee to function, most sports only employ them at a professional or top-class level.
In Major League Baseball, instant replay has been introduced to address "boundary calls," which including questions on whether a hit should be considered a home run (HR).
[11] In NBA basketball, the officials must watch an instant replay of a potential buzzer beater to determine if the shot was released before time expired.
Since 2002, the NBA has mandated the installation of LED light strips on both the backboard and the scorer's table that illuminate when time expires, to assist with any potential review.
In Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Los Angeles Lakers forward Samaki Walker made a three-point field goal from half-court at the end of the second quarter.
In Italy, host broadcaster Sky agreed with Serie A to adopt instant replay for special tournaments and playoff games, and in 2005, for the entire season.
Knowing the 12,000 fans on both sides, officials would learn the series' fate on their call and watch replays of the shot before determining whether it was valid.
"[16] 2019, FIBA updated its IRS (Instant Replay System) manual further to summarize the accepted workflows and methods for video review.
They say that instant replay can be used for block/charge plays to determine if an off-ball foul occurred before or after a shooting motion began in a successful shot attempt or if the ball is released on a throw-in.
The International Cricket Council[19] decided to trial a referral system during the Indian tour of Sri Lanka through late July and August 2008.
[22] In 2005, Urs Linsi, general secretary of FIFA, said:[23] There have been allegations that referees had made or changed decisions on the advice of a fourth official who had seen the in-stadium replay of an incident.
[25][26] It has been said that instant replay is needed given the difficulty of tracking the activities of 22 players on such a large field,[27] FIFA officials approached researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland for help, but came up with nothing that could satisfy the league's stringent requirements.
[28] Opponents of instant replay like former FIFA President Sepp Blatter argue that refereeing mistakes add to the "fascination and popularity of football.
"[29] It has been proposed that instant replay be limited to use in penalty incidents, fouls which lead to bookings or red cards and whether the ball has crossed the goal line, since those events are more likely than others to be game-changing.
[33][34] In July 2012, International Football Association Board voted unanimously to officially amend the Laws of the Game to permit (but not require) goal-line technology.
[37] On the decision, FIGC President Carlo Tavecchio said, "We were among the first supporters of using technology on the pitch and we believe we have everything required to offer our contribution to this important experiment".
[39][21] Major League Soccer in the United States introduced VAR in competitive matches during its 2017 season after the 2017 MLS All-Star Game on 2 August 2017.
[40][41] In American and Canadian football, instant replay can take place in the event of a close or otherwise controversial call, either at the request of a team's head coach (with limitations) or the officials themselves.
In Texas, where high schools have always based their rules on those of the NCAA, the University Interscholastic League, which governs public-school sports, allows its use only in state championship finals.
[44] In international motorsport championships, race stewards often use instant replay to decide whether to penalize competitors for avoidable contact or pitlane infractions.
If a forward pass has gone un-noticed by the on-field officials it must be disregarded by the video ref, as such judgements cannot reliably be made due to camera angle effects.
