IBC 2022: Sports broadcasting-related seminars in Amsterdam not to miss
Alongside the technology exhibition, IBC 2022 in Amsterdam will feature a four-day content programme for delegates and visitors offering insight, education and learnings across a variety of programmes and theatres.
There are some very interesting sports broadcasting-related sessions. These are SVG Europe’s Top 5 ‘not to miss’.
Technical papers: The immersive Olympics
When is it? 09 Sep 2022 – 16:00 – 16:45
Where is it? IBC CONFERENCE, E102
Who can attend? Conference Pass Holders
What should I expect from the session? The breadth and diversity of sport and venues covered by the Olympics considerably magnify the production challenge. So, to add the complexity of immersivity is impressive. In this two-paper session, you will learn how 5.1.4 immersive audio was added and used across all sports, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing Winter 2022 games. Our second paper adds VR. With over 100 hours streamed of fully produced Olympic events from Beijing 2022, with graphics and commentary including live coverage of 6 sports, all in 8K VR – this is a masterclass on VR production.
Who is speaking?
- Nuno Duarte, Senior Audio Manager – Olympic Broadcasting Services
- Fabrice Lorenceau, VP Live Production & Video Technology – Cosm
Sports and Olympics 2024 — winning with the power of the cloud
When is it? 10 Sep 2022, 14:00 – 14:50
Where is it? Showcase Theatre, Hall 12
Who can attend? Anyone
What should I expect from the session? In this executive panel session hear how Discovery Sports is transforming its broadcast/production workflow to gain operational flexibility, tell more data-driven stories, and achieve greater audience engagement. Join Dave Duvall, Warner Bros. Discovery CIO; Scott Young, SVP Content and Production at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, Europe; Marc Aldrich, GM of Media & Entertainment, and Julie Souza, Head of Sports for Professional Services at AWS, as they discuss how they have redefined their business to take home the gold.
Who is speaking?
- Scott Young, SVP Content and Production – Warner Bros. Discovery Eurosport
- Marc Aldrich, GM, Global Media & Entertainment – Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Julie Souza, Head of Sports Global, Professional Services – Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Dave Duvall, Chief Information Officer – Warner Bros. Discovery
Sustainability in news and sport operations
When is it? 10 Sep 2022, 16:00 – 16:45
Where is it? IBC CONFERENCE E102
Who can attend? Conference Pass Holders
What should I expect from the session? Through being forced to implement remote capabilities in 2020, broadcasters have found new ways of bringing live content to viewers through powerful virtual production suites. Not only does this create technologically enabled efficiencies in workflows, but it allows for a smaller on-the-ground footprint. The speakers on this panel have delivered some of the largest sporting events in the last two years including the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 trialling new techniques in operational delivery. It’s good for the budget, it’s great for their carbon footprint. Hear how they do it and how these new methods of live production are changing the way control rooms exist in the content supply chain.
Who is speaking?
- Morwen Williams, Director of News Operations – BBC
- Lucy O’Brien, Group CTO – EMG
- Alex Dinnin, Director, Graphics and Innovation – Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe
Technical papers: XR and avatars
When is it? 10 Sep 2022, 10:00 – 10:45
Where is it? IBC CONFERENCE E102
Who can attend? Conference Pass Holders
What should I expect from the session? The first paper describes a system for encoding and synthesising facial movements, which are then superimposed on either a realistic or chosen “face” (it can also synthesise those movements from audio speech). Everyone has become very familiar with video-conferencing over the last two years, both professionally and socially – but the Metaverse is going to be much more than a grid of talking heads. The potential for the technology described in this paper is fascinating. The second paper, explores 5G with edge computing, the promise that 5G can deliver more than just faster denser broadband. A collaborative project investigating a set of genuinely compelling XR enhanced broadcast experiences, specifically in sports (football, boxing, MotoGP and rugby), this is key premium content. The paper highlights the advantages gained by an edge-enhanced approach over traditional client-side processing, whilst acknowledging the business challenges such an infrastructure presents.
Who is speaking?
- Jun Xu, Doctor – Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Andrew Gower, Head of Immersive Content Research – BT
Accelerator – Cloud-based live events, analytics and low latency protocols
When is it? 11 Sep 2022, 10:00 – 10:45
Where is it? Innovation Stage, Hall 2
Who can attend? Free to Attend Sessions
What should I expect from the session? This Accelerator project has explored how professional live sports events, with multiple camera feeds, can be delivered at scale with full visibility, including live IP signal ingest, standards conversion, while assessing the impact on latency at each stage of their cloud-based workflows.
Who is speaking?
- Mario Reis – Olympic Broadcasting Services
- Scott Davis – Microsoft
- Caroline Ewerton, VP Technical Product Management – DAZN
- Jonathan Hale – Warner Bros. Discovery
IBC 2022 takes place at the RAI Amsterdam from 9 to 12 September