Thanks to the increased number of channels and digital platforms for Sochi 2014, there were more hours broadcast globally than any previous Winter Games with more than 100,000 hours broadcast around the world, compared with 57,000 for Vancouver 2010.įor the first time in Olympic history, the amount of digital coverage exceeded traditional television broadcasts with 60,000 hours available on digital platforms, compared with 42,000 hours on television. In total, 464 television channels broadcast the Sochi Games, almost double the number from Vancouver, and more digital platforms offered coverage than at any previous Winter Games with 155 websites and 75 apps showing events live from Russia. OBS deployed more than 450 cameras, including 12 cablecam systems, 31 High Speed Slow Motion (HSSM) cameras and a multicopter/drone used for the first time, to ultimately produce 1300+ hours of television. The Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games represented the largest broadcast operation in history for a Winter Games. OBS employed 1,000+ HD cameras, including 40 High Super Slow Motion cameras and other innovative specialty equipment such as 3D cameras, Super High Vision cameras and the world's longest cablecam which stretched 2,340m at the Rowing venue from start to finish. More than 5,600+ hours of live sports, ceremonies and Olympic News Channel content were distributed to the Rights Holding Broadcasters. The 2012 Olympic Games were broadcast by OBS. The 2010 Olympics marked the first Games where the host broadcasting facilities were provided solely by OBS. Its operations began with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where Beijing Olympic Broadcasting, a joint venture between OBS and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, acted as the host broadcasting consortium and the state television network, China Central Television which is one of the host nation broadcasters of the games.įor the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, a wholly owned division, Olympic Broadcasting Services Vancouver was set up. Main article: Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Previously the host broadcaster role was delegated to the local organising committees or to third-party broadcasters, having to rebuild the broadcast operation in each edition. The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing marked the first time OBS was involved as Host Broadcaster. OBS also offers additional services, equipment and supplies to the RHBs to help them produce their unilateral production. In collaboration with the Local Organising Committee, OBS supervises the development of the necessary infrastructures (including the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) which serves as the primary base of the broadcast operation for OBS and the RHBs during the Games) and facilities at the different Olympic venues to ensure the successful broadcast production of the Games. This feed is called the International Signal or the World Feed and is distributed as a service to all broadcast organisations who have purchased the television and radio rights to the Games (known as Rights Holding Broadcasters or RHBs). It produces and transmits unbiased live radio and television coverage of every sport from every venue. Olympic Broadcasting Services' cameraman, covering the men's 10 kilometre marathon swim at the 2012 Olympic Games.Īs Host Broadcaster, OBS is responsible for delivering the pictures and sounds of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to billions of viewers around the world.

Olympic cameraman