The Olympics have always been a massive undertaking for broadcasters, and the recent Summer Games in Paris saw a significant shift towards remote production, marking a watershed moment for the industry.
Traditionally, broadcasters relied on on-site production, sending personnel and equipment to the host city, as telecom and satellite links were expensive. However, advancements in technology, particularly in bandwidth availability and cost, have enabled a gradual shift towards a mix of local and remote production.
The 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo saw a notable increase in remote production, while the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing demonstrated the feasibility of remote production for major sporting events. This trend has accelerated with the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, as broadcasters leverage remote production technologies to achieve the desired immediacy and event feel.
"With Paris 2024, I couldn’t help looking back on the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, where I had the privilege of working with one of Imagine Communications’ broadcast customers. In all the excitement, one thing that struck me the most was the sheer size and complexity of the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). Broadcasters from all around the world had packed the space with a massive amount of equipment — including multiple control rooms and dozens of full editing suites — and thousands of people were working tirelessly to produce their programs. It was a spectacle on par with the games themselves." - [Name of person], [position] at Imagine Communications
Several key technological advancements have paved the way for remote production, including:
- Increased Bandwidth Availability and Affordability: The availability of high-bandwidth connections at reasonable costs has enabled broadcasters to transmit large amounts of data, including multiple camera signals, from remote locations.
- HDR Workflows: Advancements in HDR workflows allow broadcasters to produce and distribute HDR content remotely, overcoming the previous challenges of on-site visual coordination.
- JPEG XS Codec: The JPEG XS codec minimizes latency, enabling seamless communication between on-site camera operators and technical directors in the studio, promoting a more natural and efficient workflow.
The JPEG XS codec, with its high picture quality, ultra-low latency, and bandwidth efficiency, has been a game-changer for remote production. It allows broadcasters to achieve the desired visual quality while minimizing the bandwidth required.
"At Imagine Communications, many of our customers have found that the JPEG XS codec offers the ideal combination of high picture quality, ultra-low latency, with an 8:1 bandwidth savings over uncompressed — allowing them to achieve the look they want while enjoying the benefits of the remote/split production." - [Name of person], [position] at Imagine Communications
Imagine Communications’ Selenio Network Processor (SNP) has become an integral part of remote production workflows, supporting JPEG XS and offering UHD and HDR conversion capabilities.
The 2024 Paris Summer Games have demonstrated the viability and efficiency of remote production for major sporting events, showcasing the transformative impact of technological advancements on the broadcast industry.