The Babybat lightweight drone captured unique overhead and tracking shots during the Premiership Rugby Cup clash between Northampton Saints and Leicester
TNT Sports used lightweight drone camera Babybat during its coverage of the PREM Rugby Cup clash between Northampton Saints and Leicester on Friday. This marked the first time a lightweight drone has been used over the pitch during a live match in UK professional rugby coverage across both the club and international game.
The Babybat was first introduced by Batcam during the 2024/25 football season. It’s a sub-250g aircraft that weighs approximately half as much as a rugby ball.
The technology captured unique overhead and tracking shots of live play, set pieces and restarts, offering angles that traditional fixed cameras can’t achieve, from lineouts, scrums and breakdowns to intricate backline moves.
During live coverage, pictures from Babybat were integrated with traditional television camera angles, creating a dynamic viewing experience that brings supporters closer to the action and provides fresh insight into the speed, skill and tactical intricacies of the game, says TNT Sports.
The innovation is the result of collaboration between TNT Sports, Gallagher PREM and the clubs themselves, working together through the newly established Broadcast Innovation Group to explore and develop new ways of enhancing the broadcast experience for rugby fans.
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