Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is preparing a virtualized, cloud-based production operation for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with plans to produce as many as 4,000 hours of competition and ceremonies coverage, the organization announced this week.
OBS outlined its production, technology and operational strategy during the World Broadcaster Meeting in Los Angeles, which brought together approximately 270 attendees. The group included more than 150 representatives from 44 media rights-holder organizations, organizers said in a statement.
The host broadcaster expects to cover nearly 12,000 athletes competing across 51 Olympic sport disciplines during the Summer Olympic Games, which will take place in Southern California in two years.
Production plans include expanded use of first-person-view drones, real-time 360-degree replays, stroboscopic replay systems, point-of-view cameras and microphones placed on officials and coaches. OBS also plans to use dynamic graphics, provide greater behind-the-scenes access and produce additional content for digital platforms.
The underlying broadcast system will be designed around virtualization, cloud-based workflows and infrastructure capable of supporting artificial intelligence tools, OBS said, noting its approach is intended to improve flexibility, resilience and efficiency across its production operations.
Other areas under development include expanded cloud services, AI-assisted production workflows, enhanced digital content delivery and new methods for distributing video and other material to rights-holding broadcasters.
“There has been significant progress on all fronts of the Games. That doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because people work together every day, coordinating teams and focusing on delivering the best possible Games,” OBS CEO Yiannis Exarchos said.
Reynold Hoover, the CEO of LA28, the organizing body for the Summer Olympic Games there, said its planners remain on schedule as planning continues across venues, transportation, security and workforce operations.
“The Organizing Committee continues to build momentum. We’re delivering, we’re on track, and we’re bringing more stakeholders on board every day,” Hoover said on Monday.
The International Broadcast Center will be located at Warner Bros Studios’ Ranch Lot in Burbank. The facility will serve as the primary operational hub for OBS and media rights holders during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Construction work for the broadcast center fit-out is expected to begin early next year.
Broadcasters also received updates on venue readiness, competition scheduling, accreditation, accommodations, communications and transportation. A venue tour included 2028 Stadium, Intuit Dome, Exposition Park Stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Peacock Theater and DTLA Arena.
More than 70 percent of Olympic competition sessions are scheduled to take place in existing venues. The remaining events will use temporary facilities, with LA28 planning to stage the Games without constructing new permanent competition venues.
The Summer Olympic Games will take place from July 14 through July 30, 2028. The Summer Paralympic Games will follow from August 15 through August 27. In the United States, NBC Universal has the exclusive rights to the Olympic games for NBC, Telemundo and Peacock.
Last year, NBC Universal expanded its rights agreement with the International Olympic Committee, securing the domestic broadcast license for the games through 2036. NBC has offered coverage of the Summer Olympic Games since 1988.
