Scottish Premiership Live by Drone

When Hearts v Hibs comes around, it’s more than a fixture. It’s the Edinburgh Derby — noise, colour, tension and history packed into 90 minutes. With Hearts sitting at the top of the Scottish Premiership, this particular game was even more important, if that's even possible.

When Premier Sports approached us to help bring a new visual edge to the coverage, the goal was simple: show one of Scotland’s biggest rivalries from a new perspective.

We've worked with Premier Sports on the Rugby and also the Premier Sports Cup but this was the first time we've provided a live drone feed for the Scottish Premiership.

Elevating Live Broadcast with Drone Coverage

Live sport is fast. Unpredictable. Emotional. That means every aerial shot has to be planned, safe and precise. Before a propeller even spins, our process begins with risk assessments, airspace checks and detailed coordination with stadium officials and the broadcast team.

Operating fully licensed and insured, HawkAye ensures every flight complies with UK drone regulations and the strict safety standards required for live television.

Showing the Atmosphere, Not Just the Action

Traditional broadcast cameras capture the tackles, the goals, the celebrations. Drone coverage captures the size, scale and impact of the event.

From above, Tynecastle becomes a living, breathing arena. The sea of maroon. The away end bouncing. The choreography before kick-off. The floodlights cutting through the Edinburgh sky. These are the visuals that turn a football match into a story.

For viewers watching on Premier Sports, the aerial shots added scale. They revealed the intensity of the rivalry and the tight, intimidating nature of the stadium. For fans in the ground, it showcased their passion to a national audience.

That’s the power of drone storytelling in sport — it bridges the gap between spectacle and emotion.

Precision, Communication and Timing

Flying for live television requires constant communication. Throughout the broadcast, we were in direct contact with the production team, ready to position for when the director called for the drone feed. We get a few seconds notice to get into position and then we need to capture smooth shots, ideally shots that last around 10-30 seconds.

Timing is everything. The transition from ground camera to aerial shot must be seamless. Movements must be smooth and stable. No sudden jerks. No distractions. Just clean, cinematic frames that enhance the coverage.

Why Drone Coverage Matters for Scottish Sport

Scottish football has some of the most passionate fans in the world. But to grow audiences and compete visually on a global stage, presentation matters.

By integrating drone coverage into live broadcasts, Premier Sports continues to push the quality of Scottish football production forward. For HawkAye, it’s about tell these stories from a different perspective — respecting the rivalry, the history and the fans who make it what it is.

The Edinburgh Derby deserved to be seen from every angle.

And from above, it looked incredible.

Watch a behind the scenes video of our coverage here

If you’re a broadcaster, sports organisation or brand looking to elevate your coverage with cinematic aerial storytelling, HawkAye works with a select number of partners each season to deliver high-impact visuals that stand out on screen and online.

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