Paris 2024: Warner Bros. Discovery makes the most out of flying a drone for uniquely and characteristically Parisian Olympic coverage

As well as creating a series of studios and standup positions on the roof of Hotel Raphaël at Paris 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery wanted to make sure viewers at home got the best views of Paris, hence its push to operate a drone

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) was the only media rights holding broadcaster at the Olympic Games to fly a drone in the heart off Paris.

Last week at WBD House, located on the rooftop of Hotel Raphaël – a five-star luxurious pad a couple of minutes walk from the Arc de Triomphe – Scott young, group SVP of content, production and business operations at Warner Bros. Discovery, spoke to SVG Europe about the epic production.

WBD wanted to ensure that all its 47 rights territories – 11 of which can create their own programming from start to finish each day – which would broadcast in 19 languages, could come together in one location and each get a strong flavour of the city of Paris, the atmosphere of the Games, and connect with the athletes from its territories. All atop the rooftops of Paris looking toward the iconic landmarks playing host to some of the venues

WBD House’s many studios gave each of its territories a completely different look to each other, but every view from behind the presenters was uniquely and characteristically Parisian, and the drone was able to emphasise that

Best views of Paris

As well as creating a series of studios and standup positions on the roof of Hotel Raphaël, the broadcaster wanted to make sure viewers at home got the best views of Paris, hence its push to operate a drone.

Comments Young: “We are the only broadcaster in the Olympic Games to have a drone.”

On how this was possible, Young says: “I would say two things. One is a strong working relationship with the Organising Committee in just what our commitment is to delivering the Games. We haven’t just booked a spot and put a studio up and broadcast from Paris and talked about the Olympics; we are totally immersed in telling the story of Paris 2024.

“I think they’ve been aware of that commitment, and we’ve been working very closely with them for a couple of years now on that. Plus, when you’re above the rooftops, away from spectators, that’s definitely a benefit,” continues Young. “But just the magnificent shots that we get here, particularly at sunrise when France goes to air first and then Poland, Italy, UK, Norway and Sweden, then what you get here at the end of the day as we start our evening programme, is spectacular. That shows off the city in a magnificent light. I think the organisers were very, very helpful with [talking to] the local police and [helping them] understand why it was so important [for WBD] to have a drone.”

Characteristically Parisian

WBD House’s many studios gave each of its territories a completely different look to each other, but every view from behind the presenters was uniquely and characteristically Parisian, and the drone was able to emphasise that.

WBD was allowed to fly the drone in the airspace directly above the building

Comments Young: “The four studios give you a very different perspective of the city of Paris and off into the different landmarks. Studio three shows off to the distance the Eiffel Tower and I love the shot downwards of these buildings [surrounding WBD House]. For me, it’s a very different look and a feel for the city of Paris. You realise that there’s a very classic part of this; the Parisian chic nature of events like Roland Garros comes out in our Olympic production.”

WBD was allowed to fly the drone in the airspace directly above the building. However, laughs Young: “We did get the permission [to use the drone] an hour before the Opening Ceremony. It was close!”

Adds Young: “NBC fly helicopters and they always have. They have a very different use for aerial shots. Our use of the drone is very different. We were doing a production here earlier this morning and the drone was literally sitting [in the air just off the edge of the roof]. It just flies around (the various studios). There’s a drone pointing straight in and watching what all of us are doing, therefore we need to be mindful, there’s 23 cameras plus a drone; you’re always on television, it doesn’t matter where you’re standing.

“Smile. You’re on camera!”