NFL's 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show Lands Powerhouse Performer Beyoncé

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In a lackluster football game, the NFL's 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show, christened the "Beyoncé Bowl," dialed up the excitement. Beyoncé, the headliner, stole the show, but the event was also marked by top-tier wireless tech, courtesy of Professional Wireless Systems (PWS).

Frantic last-minute preparation was required, planning that was beyond monumental and pushed everyone to their limits. "The scale and pace of the Beyoncé Bowl were unheard of," said Jimmy Van Winkle, the man behind PWS. "It was a mini Super Bowl Halftime Show crammed into under two months!"

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Just six weeks before the big day, PWS conducted a detailed site survey to pinpoint the optimal antenna locations and gather vital sweep data. During the event, PWS took charge of frequencies for Sennheiser and Shure microphones, and Wisycom and Shure in-ear monitors. They worked in tandem with NFL's gameday staff, Netflix's broadcast crew, and stadium technicians.

In Houston, the PWS team faced some unique challenges. "Covering a football field with crystal-clear RF reception isn't a walk in the park, but Houston's environment, alongside broadcast operations and stadium systems, added an additional tangled layer of complexity," explained Cameron Stuckey, PWS' lead RF engineer. "A surprise on-site was the demand for dividing transmissions throughout multiple zones. By leveraging our custom PWS adaptable solutions and strategic partnerships with spectrum holders, our team ensured flawless wireless connections across the show."

For the Beyoncé Bowl, PWS engineered and deployed a robust RF over Fiber (RFoF) antenna system covering UHF and STL ranges. This system hosted 10 helical antennas made up of four STL models, four standard UHF antennas for microphones, and two designed for dual IEM zones. This setup catered to seamless connections across the expansive performance area.

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"We fashioned an antenna system that enabled the creative teams to unleash their creativity on the field," said Stucky. "The entire football field is the artists' canvas, and RF coverage shouldn’t hold them back. For the Beyoncé Bowl, choreography sprawled across 80 yards of grass, with Beyoncé performing with Shaboozey on one side, then 50 yards away, collaborating with Post Malone. This is on top of managing coverage in the Z-axis for the aerial finale that required vertical coverage expansion."

Van Winkle extended his gratefulness to the NFL's Event Frequency Coordinators (EFCs), Netflix's broadcast team, ATK-PWS' contracting partner, and spectrum partners. "This event wouldn’t have been achievable without the combined effort of our partners and collaborators," he expressed. "The 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show underscored PWS' commitment to wireless audio innovation in live event technology."

"Despite the challenges, Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) successfully managed frequencies for Sennheiser and Shure microphones, as well as Wisycom and Shure in-ear monitors, in the Beyoncé Bowl."
"Cameron Stuckey, PWS' lead RF engineer, highlighted the unique challenges in Houston, including the demand for dividing transmissions throughout multiple zones, but noted that the team's custom solutions and strategic partnerships ensured flawless wireless connections."
"For the Beyoncé Bowl, PWS engineered and deployed a robust RF over Fiber (RFoF) antenna system, hosting 10 helical antennas to cater to seamless connections across the expansive performance area."
"Van Winkle expressed his gratitude to the NFL's Event Frequency Coordinators (EFCs), Netflix's broadcast team, ATK-PWS' contracting partner, and spectrum partners, acknowledging their combined effort in making the 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show a success, underscoring PWS' commitment to wireless audio innovation in live event technology."