FEATURE STORY Olympic Games drive broadcast change
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October 2008 FEATURE STORY Olympic Games drive broadcast change The Olympic Games have been instrumental in influencing many of the technological advances in the broadcast industry. Peter Kepreotes, Vice President of Technology - International, Broadcast Australia, takes a ‘behind the scenes’ view of the 2008 Beijing Games. The Olympic Games have long been the global benchmark for sporting achievement, capturing the attention of sports lovers and the general populace the world over. Since ancient times, the Olympics have produced enthralling athletic performances and continue to demonstrate the development of humankind's physical and physiological abilities. However, this development has not been restricted to the Olympic sporting arena. Mirroring the ongoing improvement of the athletes, Olympic television coverage has also continued to advance. While radio broadcasting of the Olympic Games commenced in Amsterdam in 1928, the first live television coverage of a sports event in world history was at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, followed by the first international broadcast at the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Television and the Olympics have forged a winning combination that has grown exponentially ever since, as most people now experience live Olympic Games action through their television and radio. Developments in digital broadcast technology, over the past decade in particular, have fast-tracked this exponential growth. Improvements in content acquisition, production and delivery platforms have enabled television networks to provide an unprecedented volume of premium-quality content that ensures the viewer is kept right in amongst the action. Consequently, viewers have become accustomed to extremely high-quality programming and have increased their expectations dramatically. Just like the Olympic high-jumper raising the bar to better his opponent's last effort, broadcasters are developing new solutions to address continually increasing viewer expectations, redefining the 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P1/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
‘standard’ Olympic sports broadcast. This has never been more evident than at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. IBC to TV At the 2008 Olympics, more than 3,800 hours of live sport were produced and transmitted to an audience of well over four billion, spread across 220 countries. Distributed via an intricate network of fibre, satellite and wireless, the live coverage of the Games reached its global audience, not only via traditional television and radio, but also via the Internet and numerous other fixed and mobile platforms. Host broadcaster, Beijing Olympic Broadcasting (BOB)—under the experienced leadership of CEO, Manolo Romero, and COO, Ma Guoli—was responsible for producing and distributing an unbiased television coverage, as well as establishing and operating the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). Purpose-built, the 90,000-square-metre IBC was the central hub for the venue-wide broadcast infrastructure network. At the heart of BOB was the Engineering and Technical Operations department (headed by Sotiris Salamouris), which delivered and managed BOB's technical infrastructure throughout the Games period—from set-up to close. The Engineering and Technical Operations team ensured the broadcast infrastructure—from the venue cabling and the high-definition outside-broadcasting (OB) vans in the broadcast compounds, to the technical operation centres (TOCs) linked to the IBC and beyond—was operational 24 hours a day. This involved establishing and maintaining fibre-optic, RF, microwave and satellite links, as well as ensuring power, video, audio and data feeds from the venue and airborne cameras remained uninterrupted. It was imperative that the host broadcaster’s infrastructure was of the highest quality and ‘robustness’, as it had to provide interruption-free multilateral feeds to all of the rights-holding broadcasters (RHBs) from across the world. From a television broadcasting perspective, it doesn’t get more extensive, complex and demanding than this. There were over 8000 RHBs from over 200 countries working at the IBC to ensure billions of viewers from around the world didn’t miss a second of the action. Host with the most The role of host broadcaster is one that has evolved dramatically over the past few Olympics. Previously, much of the post-production of the feed from the IBC would be the responsibility of 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P2/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
each of the RHBs. However, in recent times, technological developments and reduced costs have seen the host broadcaster include a number of new features in its feed. Features such as virtual graphics, which provide information such as moving world-record lines in swimming events, are now being supplied as part of the host broadcaster's feed. In the past, these ‘extras’ would have been added by the individual RHBs. Furthermore, such features were often expensive to incorporate into the production and meant only the larger, wealthier broadcasters could provide viewers with this service. Reduced costs associated with establishing and operating the broadcast infrastructure has been a significant driver here. Tasks that used to take a room of computers, dedicated technology and a specialised operator can now often be carried out on a laptop computer by a competent technician. As equipment size and resource costs are reduced, it becomes more feasible for the host broadcaster to add on these additional services and features. At the Beijing Games, shots from specialty high-definition (HD) cameras were a real highlight and enriched the viewing experience. Cable-cams spanning well over one kilometre provided breathtaking panoramic views, ‘super-slow-mo’ cameras delivered never-before-seen details of bullets emerging from pistols, and target-cams allowed viewers to experience the excitement of an archer’s arrow speeding towards them. Many of these shots were included in the host broadcaster’s feed. This meant than all RHBs had access to a range of compelling pictures. Digital on the dais The impact of digital technology at the Beijing Games extended beyond the high-definition television (HDTV) benefits experienced by the viewers. Behind the scenes at the IBC, digital technology played a major role in streamlining the ongoing preparation and delivery of the broadcast feed. As recently as the Athens Olympics in 2004, tape machines were still being used to store and edit footage. These take up significant floor space, and use complex mechanical system components that have the potential to fail. Also, shuttling tapes around the IBC can be laborious and time consuming. In Beijing, tape-based storage and editing was still available, but digital storage and editing technology was widely deployed throughout the IBC. Content was monitored and tagged as it happened then stored on hard disc video servers. This made sourcing footage for replays and edits very straightforward, as searches could be carried out based on a number of content 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P3/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
metadata parameters. In fact, for the first time, the BOB offered a ‘rate-card’ digital storage service, providing RHBs with access to nearly any video file. Get IT With the fundamental shift to digital broadcasting comes the need for innovative complementary information technology (IT) systems to carry and/or support the video and audio going to air. There are few elements of the digital broadcast production chain that don’t require an IT system. By comparison, the analogue broadcasting world has relatively few IT support systems. IT support tools are also becoming increasingly helpful in managing complex broadcast projects, such as the Olympic Games. Careful planning is essential for such events. Making sure that the plan is implemented correctly requires high levels of management. IT support tools go some way to ensuring the efficient construction and operation of an Olympic broadcast infrastructure. In Beijing, the Engineering and Technical Operations team developed a number of IT-based management tools to ensure the broadcast infrastructure was brought online on time. In the lead- up to the Games, a ‘dashboard’ system was used to provide stakeholders with the status of the thousands of ‘in progress’ tasks. A red-amber-green traffic light indication system allowed management to ascertain task status and ‘rate of progress’ at a glance, and prioritise operations accordingly. A venue engineering allocation system (VEAS) was also developed by the team. It provided a detailed broadcast equipment inventory for each of the competition and non-competition venues. A large on-site logistics department sourced components from all over the world. This system was more sophisticated than any other used at previous Games. It proved to be a more accurate and efficient way of managing hardware and broadcast resources. An additional IT-based daily reporting system (DRS) was also developed by the BOB team to provide immediate games-wide reporting and notification to the Broadcast Operations Centre (BOC)—the BOB’s nerve-centre during Games time, also based at the IBC. This system provided an excellent real-time holistic view of the status of the entire broadcast infrastructure and operations. It facilitated problem identification, prioritisation, resolution as well as high-level management reporting. Beijing's broadcast ‘firsts’ The coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games stands as a significant milestone in the evolution of TV broadcasting, as it provided sports fans with a number of broadcasting ‘firsts’. The 2008 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P4/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
Games delivered maximum exposure of the sports across all available media platforms, and exploited the latest media technologies. Many of these innovations were made possible thanks to the recent fast-tracked developments in digital broadcast technology. In Beijing, all production was full ‘High-Definition’ with 5.1 surround sound—a first in the history of the Olympic Games. The content was provided in 1080i HD and 16:9 widescreen format, and incorporated super-slow-mo replays and never-before seen camera angles. At the previous Olympics in Athens, HDTV was only available for some marquee events like the opening ceremony and the one-hundred-metre sprint. In Beijing, HDTV was the standard. The 2008 Olympics were also the first in Games history where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted specific licences for the broadcast of mobile TV. Chinese broadcaster, Jolon, provided Olympic coverage to handheld devices using Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) technology across Beijing, while the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) showcased its China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB) mobile TV and multimedia standard. Mobile TV was arguably one of the most exciting new options to be offered at the Beijing Olympics. Not only has mobile TV provided Olympic broadcasters with an opportunity to reap new revenue streams, it—and other forms of ‘new media’ viewing platforms—provided viewers with never- before-seen viewing flexibility. The 2008 Games saw the first real tangible emergence of such ‘new media’ viewing choices. The ‘new media’ age In recognition of changing viewing habits, the IOC provided access to Olympic content via several non-traditional platforms at the Beijing Games. In addition to mobile TV, live Internet streaming and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) provided viewers with an alternative mechanism for viewing a wide range of Olympic sporting action. In an Olympic first, the IOC offered content on the popular video sharing website, YouTube. Ten channels were made available, bringing the Olympic action to the convenience of the many viewers who frequent this popular site. With clear intentions of attraction a young audience, the IOC is making inroads into building the Olympic brand with future generations of sports fans. Several RHBs at the 2008 Games generated their own IPTV services using BOB content. BOB also offered an IPTV service to RHBs at various ‘QoS levels’. The traditional model of the broadcaster producing the content and delivering it to viewers according to its own predetermined 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P5/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
time and delivery format schedule is fast becoming less relevant. In Beijing, broadcasters offered real-time streaming digital feeds and IPTV services, making coverage available to more viewers and in more variants. Looking to London In recent times, broadcasters have revolutionised the production and delivery of Olympic sports content, producing slick multi-featured broadcasts, each telecast seemingly more detailed than the last. However, with viewers’ expectations escalating at a rapid rate, innovation is a necessity. Mobile TV looks set to be a more mature Olympic broadcasting platform at the London Olympics in 2012. Enhanced broadcast infrastructure, coupled with the development of bigger screens and lighter-weight handheld devices, indicates mobile TV will be an accepted mainstream viewing medium by the time of the London Games. Consumer interest in mobile TV is matched only by the ‘buzz’ of what many are describing as the future of television—three-dimensional television (3DTV). Developments in acquisition, broadcast and viewing technology suggests there is time to make some form of 3DTV a reality by 2012. The mere thought of watching an Olympic event in 3D is enough to inspire intense public interest. As we have seen previously, such consumer enthusiasm provides the ultimate driving force for broadcasting advances. Interactivity is also emerging as a key element in enriching the Olympic viewing experience. At the moment, what the viewer sees is decided by individual producers, which impacts the individual’s viewing experience. Here, the next step is to allow the viewer to customise their viewing experience by choosing shots or events from the multitude of cameras in real time. There were a huge number of BOB cameras (including hard, pole, crane, stedicam, robotic, handheld, cablecam, helicopter etc) used to cover the Beijing Games’ opening ceremony, so the potential is endless. Without using too much imagination, there is also potential to incorporate live athlete performance data (heart rate etc) into the telecast. While obtaining permissions from stakeholders such as the international sports federations and the athletes themselves could initially be problematic, providing the viewer with such intimate insight into the condition of the athlete would be extremely popular and engaging. History has shown that it is viewer demand that drives broadcast change. Here the influence of the Olympic Games is unmatched. Footnote * Peter Kepreotes is Vice President of Technology - International for Broadcast Australia, and was appointed Technical Operations Coordinator by Host Broadcaster, Beijing Olympic Broadcasting at the 2008 Olympic 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P6/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
Games. Based at the International Broadcast Centre, Kepreotes worked in conjunction with the BOB
Engineering and Technical Operations team to deliver and manage the Host Broadcaster’s technical
infrastructure throughout the Games period.
Kepreotes was the IBC Venue Technology Manager at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games, with
additional involvement in Games spectrum planning and frequency coordination, ceremonies, as well as the
Main Press and Media Accreditation Centres.
-[ENDS]-
Clockwise from top left:
The 2008 Olympics were the first where the IOC granted specific licences for the broadcast of
mobile TV.
A BOB Road Events vehicle with a remote-controlled ‘Scorpio’ camera mounted on a stabiliser
platform.
Peter Kepreotes, Broadcast Australia Vice President of Technology - International, and BOB
Technical Operations Coordinator
Beijing’s National Olympic Stadium
Company background
With over 75 years experience as the owner and operator of one of the most extensive terrestrial broadcast
transmission networks in the world, Broadcast Australia provides end-to-end transmission services for radio
and television (analogue and digital) broadcasters. The company’s core competencies include planning and
2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P7/8
© Relate Technical Communications 2008
Approved for publicationnetwork design, engineering design and project management, complex systems integration, site development and installation, operations and network management and in-house repairs and maintenance. Broadcast Australia also develops world-class solutions and applications for new and emerging technologies—such as Infocasting, Digital Radio and Mobile TV—working with strategic partners throughout the Asia Pacific region. Subsidiary companies include Hong Kong-based confined space coverage group Radio Frequency Engineering Limited (RFE), digital media network/infrastructure specialist Singapore Digital, systems integration and product supply specialist The Bridge Networks, and critical application and hosting provider, Hostworks. Broadcast Australia is a 100% owned subsidiary of Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group, an entity listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX code: MCG). Web site http://www.broadcastaustralia.com.au/ Media enquiries Relate Technical Communications Pty Ltd Telephone: +61 3 9593 9973 E-mail: info@relatetech.com.au 2008 10 - Olympic Games drive broadcast change P8/8 © Relate Technical Communications 2008 Approved for publication
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