The Paris 2024 Olympic flame relay broadcast, executed by France Télévisions and TVU Networks, serves as a pioneering achievement for reducing CO2 emissions by 300 tons and slashing the budget by 70% compared to traditional live production methods.
In what is considered to be a first in broadcast history, the workflow used a cloud-based private 5G network to stream 10 hours of live coverage a day over 80 days, beginning May 8.
“Broadcasting live the journey of the flame is a unique offering, rightly aligned with France Télévisions’ ambitious editorial stance for covering the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Laurent-Eric Le Lay, director of Sports at France Télévisions, states.
“This innovation gives editorial teams the ability to produce more content with greater adaptability and responsiveness, while controlling costs and maintaining the quality standards,” adds Frédéric Brochard, CTO and CIO at the broadcaster.
This approach, innovative for even simple live productions, is said to be groundbreaking as it applies to every facet of production for an event of such scale and complexity, including live feeds, multi-camera switching, graphics, commentaries, audio mixing, intercom and playout.
In a recent webinar hosted by TVU Networks, the participants explained the planning and workflow for the relay, which is still traveling its 1625 km journey around France.
For a start, using a private 5G network was essential for live broadcasting in areas with poor network coverage. Developed by the broadcaster with TDF and Nokia, this private network operated on a dedicated frequency to avoid interference and delivered a low latency (approximately 50-90ms) and high bandwidth (around 500 Mbps).
Starlink antennas, typically used on boats for their ability to track multiple satellites, were used to ensure continuous connectivity. This setup included a mobile unit with antennas mounted on vehicles following the flame.
Cloud Production
AWS provided the backbone for cloud production, enabling real-time processing and distribution of live feeds. This allowed the production team to handle up to 10 hours of live broadcast per day with eight cameras and multiple relay points.
Cloud-based tools, notably TVU Producer, enabled management of the entire broadcast remotely, including video mixing, real-time comms, and adding in graphical overlays.
“TVU Producer and our synchronization tools allowed us to manage live broadcasts seamlessly, ensuring high-quality video and audio integration,” noted TVU cloud engineer and sysadmin Cristian Prieto.
A Remote Commentator app allowed commentators to provide real-time commentary from remote locations with minimal latency.
Eight cameras were deployed, with signals transmitted through antennas on vehicles. These cameras included both mobile units and stationary setups at key relay points. The mobile units were equipped with TVU One transmitters, ensuring reliable live streaming.
France Télévisions broadcast engineer Amy Rajaonson explained: “The compact and portable setup was crucial for following the relay across different regions. Our equipment was designed to be self-sufficient, ensuring continuous operation throughout the day.”
TVU’s system dynamically selected the best network for transmission, using both private 5G and public 4G/5G networks to ensure optimal performance.
The results were high viewer engagement with 1.2 million unique viewers and 80 million video plays in the first two weeks.
By minimizing the use of helicopters and other traditional broadcasting equipment, the project cut nearly 300 tons of CO2 emissions and cutting production emissions by 12 times.
“It’s about working together, challenging what we accept as possible,” said Paul Shen, CEO of TVU Networks. “This isn’t just a milestone; it’s a wake-up call to the industry. The future of broadcast is here, and it’s accessible, sustainable, and opens up endless possibilities for bringing more content to fans everywhere.”
READ MORE: France.tv Reveals 100% Cloud & 5G Innovation (TVU)
Why subscribe to The Angle?
Exclusive Insights: Get editorial roundups of the cutting-edge content that matters most.
Behind-the-Scenes Access: Peek behind the curtain with in-depth Q&As featuring industry experts and thought leaders.
Unparalleled Access: NAB Amplify is your digital hub for technology, trends, and insights unavailable anywhere else.
Join a community of professionals who are as passionate about the future of film, television, and digital storytelling as you are. Subscribe to The Angle today!
