Televising the PDC World Darts Championship is a monstrous operation. Planning began 11 months ago, the day after Luke Littler won the world title last January. In total, there are 23 cameras, 56 microphones (including five hidden mics embedded in the board to deliver that iconic “thunk” sound), with 200 sleep-deprived people deployed to broadcast every dart thrown across 144 hours of action.
It is an orchestra, and at its heart is the conductor, Sky Sports director Tim Brown, who I find hunkered down at the back of an expandable truck that sits in the middle of a warren of trailers and temporary structures backstage. After a few minutes in the dimly lit room, it quickly becomes apparent why his role is called “the hardest job in television”, as Brown manoeuvres our picture between the stage, the boisterous crowd and across the board for the six seconds each player visits the oche, on repeat.
