BCE overcomes challenging environments to deliver live broadcast of Tour De Luxembourg
Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE) has completed its role as the official host broadcaster for the recently concluded Tour de Luxembourg 2024. This year’s edition of the UCI Pro Series race unfolded over five stages, offering a global audience the chance to experience the beauty of Luxembourg’s landscapes and the thrilling competition of world-class cyclists.
BCE’s expertise ensured that every moment was broadcast across multiple platforms, including Eurosport and RTL Lëtzebuerg.
Stage 1, which ended in the historic Fëschmaart area of Luxembourg City, posed significant technical challenges due to narrow streets just 800 meters from the finish line. BCE overcame these obstacles by deploying a cutting-edge solution that connected cameras at the finish line directly to the outside broadcast vans via fibre optics. This ensured flawless live coverage despite the demanding environment.
Indeed, BCE delivered a robust and multi-faceted production setup throughout the event. It included four HF motorbikes, which captured live footage of the race from within the peloton, and a helicopter that provided stunning aerial shots of both the cyclists and the picturesque Luxembourg countryside.
The motorbikes and helicopter, in collaboration with NEP, transmitted via HF the feeds to a circling airplane, which acted as a relay station, sending the signals down to ground antennas before being transferred to the OB vans. This ensured uninterrupted live transmission throughout each stage.
Between five and seven cameras were deployed at the finish lines, depending on each stage’s configuration, as per the guidelines set by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). These were crucial for capturing the most dramatic moments of the race, from thrilling sprints to exciting finishes. A dedicated graphics team worked on-site to produce real-time overlays that provided viewers with live race information and standings.
The final production was handled in BCE’s OB vans with a daily live broadcast on RTL Tele Lëtzebuerg and then transmitted via SNG technology to Eurosport, which distributed the feed globally. Additionally, local fans were able to stream the race live through the RTL Lëtzebuerg website, ensuring that cycling enthusiasts from around the world could experience the event in real-time.
“We are proud to have played such a critical role in the success of the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg 2024,” said Xavier Thillen, head of production and digital media operations at BCE. “The technical challenges of covering such a dynamic and fast-paced event were immense, but the dedication and expertise of our team ensured that we delivered top-quality coverage to a global audience.”