It feels like just yesterday we were captioning the kickoff to the pro football season, and now we’ve reached the final drive — one last game to determine who will take home the Lombardi Trophy!
VITAC, Verbit’s media arm, is suited up and ready to provide English and Spanish captions for this weekend’s big game (Sunday, Feb. 9) in New Orleans between the Philadelphia Eagles and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on FOX, Tubi and Telemundo.
A worldwide audience
Last year’s championship attracted more than 123 million viewers, and this year’s numbers are expected to break records thanks, in part, to Nielsen’s expanded coverage of out-of-home viewership in the US which will now consider those watching in places like sports bars, restaurants and hotel lobbies.
Of course, VITAC is no rookie when it comes to captioning some of the biggest and most-watched events of the year. Whether it’s the Olympics, the World Cup, or that must-see TV finale that has everyone talking the next morning, our team is always in the huddle making sure viewers have access to the highest quality real-time captions.
Prepping for the game
Live captioning is a game of inches, requiring precise execution, lightning-fast reflexes and a playbook full of preparation — just like what you’ll see on the field this weekend.
Sunday’s championship matchup promises explosive plays, high-energy offenses and opportunistic defenses. But the real fast-paced action doesn’t just happen on the field — it’s also in the broadcast booth where play calls, analysis and sideline reports come at blazing speed. Our captioners are trained for the two-minute drill, ensuring that every call, every stat and, yes, every inevitable Taylor Swift reference gets accurately and seamlessly transcribed.
To stay ahead of the game, our team studies film…well, in a way. They compile team rosters, coaching staffs and key storylines in advance, ensuring they’re prepared for anything the announcers throw at them. Just like Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts study defenses, our captioners anticipate trends, memorize names and recognize every audible, making sure fans can follow along without missing a play.
Full coverage
In addition to covering the pre-game, game, and post-game activities, our team will provide English and Spanish captions for all of FOX’s television promos running this week as well as captions for the Kendrik Lamar halftime set and other live music performances. (This year’s performances also will feature sign language interpreters not only signing the halftime show but also the National Anthem, “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”)
VITAC also will be captioning the “NFL Honors” primetime awards special on FOX on Thursday night (Feb. 6). The show officially kicks off the sports weekend and recognizes the NFL’s best players, performances and plays from the 2024 season.
Ready for game day
With all the excitement surrounding football’s biggest night, one thing’s for sure — our captioners are ready to bring their A-game. As the teams battle it out for the championship, we’ll be on the sidelines (figuratively speaking), making sure every fan — whether they’re at home, in a bar, or on the go — can experience all the big plays, big moments, and big commentary without missing a beat.
So, while the Eagles and Chiefs fight for gridiron glory, we’ll be working just as hard to ensure our captions are MVP-worthy.
