ALAMEDA, Calif.—Clear-Com has released details about how it played a pivotal role in the seamless coverage of the recent solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 by NBC KXAS and Telemundo KXTX. 

During their coverage, both stations used Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX Digital Matrix intercom system and innovative Agent-IC mobile app software to deliver captivating live broadcasts from the heart of the action at Reunion Tower in Dallas, Texas.

Martin Dzurenko, Engineer at NBC KXAS and Telemundo KXTX praised the reliability and versatility of Clear-Com's solutions during the event.

"We utilized Clear-Com's Eclipse HX Digital Matrix intercom system and Agent-IC software to facilitate 28 live shots, seamlessly transmitting content back to our studios," he said. "The flexibility of Agent-IC running on iPads and cell phones allowed our producers to efficiently produce the shows while maintaining constant communication with the studio." 

Delaney Duffey, Engineer at NBCUniversal added that “Clear-Com's technology played a crucial role in ensuring seamless communication and coordination, allowing us to capture the magic of this celestial event and share it with audiences worldwide."

More specifically, Clear-Com's innovative communication solutions, including the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix intercom system and Agent-IC software, facilitated real-time coordination and communication among broadcasters, ensuring the smooth transmission of live broadcasts.  

The use of products during the eclipse also showcased Clear-Com's commitment to enabling broadcasters to excel in even the most demanding live production environments, the company said. 

Clear-Com's Agent-IC app, utilized by both station producers and on-the-ground anchors, provided real-time communication and monitoring capabilities, ensuring smooth coordination throughout the broadcast. 

"Our Agent-IC technology empowered broadcasters to stay connected and in control, whether on-site or remotely," said John Kruman, business development manager at Clear-Com, highlighting the significance of Agent-IC in enhancing the production workflow. "We are proud to have played a crucial role in enabling NBC KXAS and Telemundo KXTX to deliver exceptional coverage of this monumental event."

For more information about Clear-Com and its range of communication solutions, visit https://www.clearcom.com/. 

As Fox Weather prepares for its live coverage of the solar eclipse from April 6 to 8, Fox Weather correspondent Robert Ray describes some of his tech plans for the coverage by saying “we are covering this eclipse like a sporting event" with "live action, play-by-play, color commentary, stats, live interviews, dynamic graphics and fan reaction."

Like a sporting event, Ray adds that they have to be prepared for how fast the action unfolds and “how ready one must be technically”

Overall the free streaming weather service will have meteorologists and correspondents spanning nearly 10 cities to capture the events leading up to the full eclipse on April 8. 

In this Q&A, Ray lays out some of the technologies he'll be using in his coverage and some of the challenges they face. It has been edited for length and clarity. 

TV Tech: What are some of the technologies you are using to help with your eclipse coverage? 

Robert Ray: Along with many Fox Weather team members, I'll be reporting live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, my coverage kicks off on Saturday April 6th and rolls all the way through the event on Monday the 8th.

From a tech perspective, coverage of the eclipse is robust and unique at Fox Weather...Imagine watching a correspondent give a play-by-play of the eclipse all the while seeing what he is capturing through his own eyes, live on Fox Weather. The latter is the plan.  

A Fox Weather photojournalist will be shooting me and the crowds, I'll be shooting the eclipse with a Sony PXW-400 with a Canon lens and extender plus a certified solar neutral density filter to help with the live imagery and safety for the lens and camera. And of course, we will have custom Fox Weather protective eyewear. During the eclipse and after I'll be talking with folks getting their reactions all the while training the camera on the eclipse. Capturing the eclipse takes technical skills with not only focus and riding the F-stop but following how fast it all happens, remember, the Earth is moving and so will the images, so it takes some concentration. During the eclipse I'll offer viewers the chance to peek into the lens of the Sony 400 and I'll also have my Solar Binoculars to hand folks as well. 

Transmitting the event will be multi-faceted, we will utilize LiveU tethered Wi-Fi technology connected to both cameras. If we have any signal issues from the WI-FI we can pivot to a traditional satellite truck that will be standing by and helping with the many facets of the broadcast and stream.

TVT: What are some of the challenges posed by eclipses from a technical angle and how are you addressing those? 

Ray: The approach we are taking, with 2 cameras and the correspondent (myself) shooting the eclipse while doing live play-by-play and interviews with people is a recipe for anything to go wrong. But pushing the envelope is rewarding, especially on a live broadcast.

Having said that, as a photojournalist and a guy who can talk with anchors back in NY on live TV, I feel this immerses the viewer, gives them totally unique access and perspective into the wonder and beauty of the eclipse & how the phenomenon is captured, all live. My biggest challenge is framing the sun properly so that it can make its way from the bottom edge of the left-hand side of the screen and make its way diagonally to the upper right quadrant of the frame, or screen. The latter will allow the viewer to see the eclipse properly and will give me room to do quick interviews with spectators while the eclipse is happening. Now, I'll have to be diligent in getting my eye into the viewfinder about every 20 seconds to monitor the framing and exposure. If cloud cover is robust and the sun dips in and out, then the challenge of exposure will be significant. Anything easy usually never has a big payoff anyway, so, that's my mantra in this coverage.

TVT: What did you learn from the ring of fire eclipse coverage last year?

Ray: Speed, I was reminded how fast the event happens & how ready one must be technically. We are talking about the speed of the moon's orbit moving at about 2200 mph, of course the effective speed at the surface is less and varies but that's why an eye needs to be in the camera frame & the adjustments are constant, required by the photojournalist to properly capture. The eclipse in April will last around 4 minutes, which as we know, is an eternity in the world of television, so its laser focus technically and mentally in the lead-up, during the vent and after. I'll need a cold one when this coverage is complete:)

TVT: Any other technical details? 

We are covering this eclipse like a sporting event. Live action, play-by-play, color commentary, stats, live interviews, dynamic graphics and fan reaction. Looking forward to the challenge and excitement of this event. Fox Weather will have teams across the country, the coverage will be like no other.

WASHINGTON—Anticipation is building for the total solar eclipse that will take place across the U.S. on Monday, Aug. 21, and NASA is doing its part to help people witness this historic event. Through its NASA Television network, NASA will offer live coast-to-coast coverage that will be available to viewers through apps, social media and streaming.

Photo credit: NASA TV

NASA TV has planned a live four-hour broadcast, “Eclipse Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA,” which will feature reports from locations all along the path of totality, including Charleston, S.C.; Salem, Ore.; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Beatrice, Neb.; Jefferson City, Mo.; Carbondale, Ill.; Hopkinsville, Ky.; and Clarksville, Tenn. Live streams from across the country will also be made available.

The coverage will be available to viewers through the NASA app on iOS and Android devices, as well as versions for the Amazon Fire, Fire TV and Apple TV. Social media sites Facebook Live, Twitter/Periscope, Twitch TV, Ustream and YouTube will also carry coverage. Ustream and YouTube will have embedded streams available too.

In addition, NASA’s coverage is getting a New York spotlight with a live broadcast being transmitted to the Toshiba Vision screen in Times Square. Viewers in Times Square will be able to listen to the coverage on the big screen by downloading the NASA app or going to www.nasa.gov/eclipselive.

The broadcast will also be presented on NASA TV’s traditional TV feeds. 

ATLANTA—The total solar eclipse that will take place on Aug. 21 will also take over programming of The Weather Channel according to a press release from the network. A full-slate of programming is scheduled for the event, including live coverage of the phenomenon from seven locations across the country and use of augmented reality technology.

Starting at 6 a.m. ET on Aug. 21, The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore and Stephanie Abrams will broadcast live from Madras, Ore., and Carbondale, Ill., to launch the network’s coverage on the “AMHW” morning show. Cantore and Abrams will continue to anchor live coverage of the eclipse throughout the day. Additional meteorologists will report live from each time zone along the eclipse’s path; they will include Alex Wilson and Chris Bruin in Jackson Hole, Wyo., Maria LaRosa in Clemson, S.C., Jen Carfagno in Nashville, Tenn., Mike Seidel driving throughout the Southeast, and Dave Malkoff from the Royal Caribbean Total Eclipse Cruise. The live coverage is being sponsored by Dish and Jeep.

More live content is expected to be pulled from telescopes, cameras and with live-hits from viewers. The Weather Channel will also use social media and Skype to connect with viewers.

In the studio, The Weather Channel will use its AR technology to explore the eclipse from Earth and space to provide more info on the science. AR renderings of the umbra, penumbra, orbits and the path of totality will be shown. Mixed-reality technology will also be used to show different shots and 3D graphics.

This is the first total solar eclipse that will be visible to the entire contiguous U.S. since 1918.