PWS Supports Snoop Dogg's Netflix Christmas Halftime Party

Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), a specialist in wireless frequency coordination and RF system design, delivered end-to-end wireless and RF support for Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party during the Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings game on Christmas Day, 25 December.

The show, headlined by Snoop Dogg and also featuring Lainey Wilson, K-Pop Demon Hunters and opera stars Andrea and Matteo Bocelli, was streamed live worldwide on Netflix from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Working alongside audio provider ATK/Clair, PWS supplied an integrated wireless package and on-site RF coordination to safeguard clean audio for the NFL halftime production. The deployment included Shure Axient Digital in Quadversity mode, Shure in-ear monitors, Wisycom RF-over-Fibre (RFoF), and a mix of PWS TS Helical and directional antennas, plus the company’s new LT Helical antenna, which was trialled ahead of planned use at the forthcoming Super Bowl in Santa Clara.

"Our role was to make sure the wireless environment was rock solid from rehearsals through the live broadcast," said Jim Van Winkle, General Manager at Professional Wireless Systems. "With a global audience watching on Netflix and the stakes that come with an NFL Christmas Day game, reliability and RF discipline were absolutely critical."

PWS fielded four RF specialists on site: Jim Van Winkle; lead RF engineer Cameron Stuckey; and senior RF technicians Kasey Gchachu and Kevin Lu. Much of the team has supported multiple Super Bowl halftime shows, experience that helped meet the pace and precision required for an NFL halftime performance.

"Compared to some of the more complex halftime productions we’ve done, this was a straightforward setup," added Van Winkle. "The entertainment was positioned in the middle of the field, so there were no unusual coverage zones. We designed and deployed a clean four-corner RF setup that gave us consistent, predictable performance across the field."

As part of the system, PWS used its new LT Helical antenna to gather in-stadium performance data. Mounted on an upper concourse at U.S. Bank Stadium, the LT Helical extended reach and added spatial coverage to complement field-level antennas.

"We're always looking ahead, and this event gave us valuable insight into how our extended-range antenna solutions perform in real-world environments," said Van Winkle. "That kind of data is critical as we prepare for upcoming large-scale broadcasts."

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