FOX Sports was forced into a public explanation after the United States’ crucial Copa America game with Uruguay saw television viewers left angered by the camera angle used on the broadcast.
The game being played at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, was crucial for the USMNT’s chances of staying in the tournament and as such was expected to draw a widespread audience.
However, viewers were left unhappy with the camera angle with a number questioning the position of the main broadcast camera before it was altered towards the close of the first-half.
“This is not a stadium for ants. This is a very high camera for the CONMEBOL world feed.” 🤣🎥🐜@StuHolden shares what everyone’s thinking 😅 pic.twitter.com/V7ps4Ag8Of
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
FOX Sports are the host broadcaster in the U.S. with play-by-play commentator John Strong and colour commentator Stuart Holden forced to explain to viewers the origin of the feed.
All television pictures come via the world feed for the game, a general broadcast taping controlled by tournament organisers CONMEBOL and therefore out of the individual broadcasters’ control.
TyC Sports, the host broadcaster for Argentina, for example, also carried the same feed of the game.
“This is not a stadium for ants,” Holden said. “This is a very high camera for the CONMEBOL world feed.”
Behind the scenes, shortly after kickoff, furious FOX Sports producers immediately recognized the issue and were on the phone with HBS and Copa officials to rectify the problem, according to sources briefed on the discussions.
Previous games, including Inter Miami’s match with Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer in April, were not broadcast with the same camera angle.
MESSI MAGIC AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM ✨
What. A. Strike. pic.twitter.com/E3ax584Nw9
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 14, 2024
Viewers were critical before the feed was altered to a more traditional, lower-angle view from the 38.45 mark of the first-half.
CONMEBOL has been contacted for comment.
The USMNT needed to match Panama’s result against Bolivia to advance to the tournament’s quarterfinals but fell to defeat to go out at the group stage.
GO DEEPER
USMNT 0-1 Uruguay: Takeaways from the U.S. Copa America failure
(Photo: FOX Sports)
Gregory Daniels is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, he explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture. Gregory enjoys staying ahead of the curve and sharing emerging trends with his readers.
