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For all of those audiophiles out there, Comcast (parent to NBCUniversal) will offer the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Subscribers to the cable giant’s Xfinity TV service—including its X1, Flex and Xfinity Stream app—will have access to the multichannel audio formats while watching NBC Sports’ nightly primetime show, the Opening and Closing ceremonies, and numerous individual sports. Viewers will also be able to customize their viewing experience for the first time via the Comcast Flex aggregation interface.
While the annual NFL Super Bowl typically serves as a great technology showcase for trying out new ways of covering the game on television (e.g., augmented reality graphics and immersive audio), this year’s main Super Bowl LIV game production will employ a well-rehearsed game plan.
Live TV production demonstrated that an all IP and bonded cellular infrastructure can provide reliable world-class coverage at a world-class event.
Since opening in 2016, the Golden 1 stadium, which is home to the Sacramento Kings NBA team, has been considered one of the most technologically advanced event venues in the U.S.
As IP continues to become a major part of broadcast infrastructures, replacing or working alongside older technologies such as SDI and MADI, engineers and production crews are finding new and different applications for the technology. Among them is China broadcaster CCTV (China Central Television). The network recently installed an IP-based location production system along with a 4K studio complete with 5.1 audio.
Although it was played in a domed stadium, perhaps the biggest challenge for the 400-person strong NBC Sports Group crew in covering Super Bowl LII on February 4 was Minneapolis’ single-digit weather and record snowfall outside. To counter this, NBC Sports built a heated giant tent covering the entire NEP Broadcast truck compound outside the stadium.
Remote studio production and virtual playout centers continue to gain traction around the world as new efficiencies and cost savings have become clear. MySports, a new 4K (UHD) pay-TV sports channel based in Switzerland, now maintains two locations—in Erlenbach and Rossens—that share video, audio and intercom signals at every level to enable precise machine control from afar.