Want to stop missing a second of the action? Sports broadcasts have well and truly changed the game with the latest tech.
I will explain how 5G, 360 cameras and augmented reality are boosting the spectator experience: get ready to discover some remarkable things about live broadcasts and new video formats.
New tools for an improved spectator experience
Sports broadcasts have well and truly changed the game. AR, VR and 360 cameras offer total immersion. These innovations now fit fully into the scenography of sports events, with new camera angles.
Standout innovations have marked recent sports events:
- Al Rihla connected ball: internal sensor analysing 500 contacts per second during the 2022 World Cup
- Semi-automated offside: AI system with 12 tracking cameras for video referees
- Ericsson/Ooredoo 5G coverage: speeds of up to 25 Gbps in Qatari stadiums
- Mobile augmented reality: live stats on smartphones via the FIFA+ app during matches
Insta360 X4 cameras in 8K make it possible to follow every movement on the pitch. Interactive replays raise fan engagement by 18% on streaming platforms.
Concrete result: audiences keep their eyes glued to the screen for 22 minutes longer on average.
Virtual and augmented reality serving the audience
For sports VR, all you need is a compatible headset and a dedicated app. The NBA already offers 1-2 games a week in 360°, Meta Quest style.
AR overlays display live stats on a smartphone during matches. GEORACING uses this to show positions and gaps in real time during races. Handy for understanding tactics without taking your eyes off the action.
Technical revolutions for live broadcasts
Ultra-fast capture and production
FPV drones now film matches like racing pilots. Extremely well stabilised, they follow players in real time thanks to GPS. ReelPicture covered the Tour de France this way with France TV. Pix4TEAM 2 cameras film football on their own, with no camera operator.
For video editing, AI is superb. Adobe Premiere Pro and CapCut analyse matches live. The result: highlights come out 3 times faster than before. Perfect for feeding social networks during the quiet moments.
5G network and high-definition streaming
Orange and Bouygues Telecom's 5G cuts latency to 2 milliseconds. No more annoying delay on live bets. This technology makes it possible to transmit ultra-stable multicast streams even in a full stadium.
8K HDR screens in stadiums handle light like pros. HLG adapts to car headlights in F1 or the blazing sun of the Olympics. The LEDs adjust in real time to avoid glare. Heavyweight kit for following every detail.
This automation is part of a new era of audiovisual production where throughput and quality become inseparable. Broadcasters can now handle 12 simultaneous streams with no glitches. Broadcasters in the Paris region rely on local teams, like our Île-de-France team in stadiums and sports halls.
Economic impacts and public access
Sports subscriptions now mix on-demand and live content. DAZN and ESPN+ offer hybrid packages with PPV credits. Fans can choose their matches one by one without breaking the bank. On the other hand, piracy costs 290 million a year to the sector according to professionals.
The problem is that not everyone has fibre or the latest smartphone. Public Wi-Fi hotspots in stadiums and digital workshops help reduce the digital divide. Some clubs even offer free replays on an app for those who cannot follow live.
Clubs use free apps such as SportEasy to manage registrations and communicate with fans. OM and PSG have their own app with exclusive content.
Result: 80% of supporters use these tools according to Arcom.
NFTs are arriving in sport with tokenised collector videos. LeBron James's dunk at $200k and the Mbappé card at €50k show the potential. But beware: buying an NFT gives you just a certificate of authenticity, not the copyright. One to watch closely.
As you have seen: augmented reality, 8K broadcasting and AI are changing the game for sports broadcasts. The sector is evolving fast: best keep an eye on upcoming tech releases.
Ready to experience sports events like never before? Sports audiovisual still has plenty to surprise you with. These club feeds go beyond the amateur level as soon as they move into event broadcast, with a control room and on-screen graphics.