Cloud Broadcasting Takes the Lead

Broadcasting is a crucial element of the Olympic experience, drawing significant attention for its technological advancements. This year, the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) partnered with Alibaba Cloud to launch OBS Cloud 3.0, which shifts event broadcasting to a cloud-based model, replacing traditional satellite methods.

This transition allows for over 11,000 hours of live coverage to be distributed seamlessly to billions of viewers across more than 200 countries, achieving nearly a 20% increase in broadcast time compared to the Tokyo Olympics. Historically, Olympic broadcasts relied heavily on satellites and wired connections, which were costly and inflexible, often leaving broadcasters vulnerable to unforeseen challenges.

The adoption of cloud technology has revolutionized this landscape, slashing broadcasting costs, minimizing latency, and enhancing the overall viewing experience. Moreover, it has diminished the need for extensive equipment and personnel at event sites. Notably, the international broadcasting center's footprint for the Paris Games has been reduced by 13% compared to Tokyo, and by 23% when set against the 2016 Rio Games. Additionally, electricity consumption for the international broadcasting center will see a 44% reduction compared to Tokyo and a staggering 72% compared to Rio.

The Magic of “Bullet Time”

The innovative “bullet time” effect, popularized by The Matrix, has found its way into sports event broadcasting. This technique allows for an immersive experience, enabling key moments to be “frozen” during live broadcasts.

The “bullet time” effect utilizes multiple cameras to capture a single moment from various angles. Through advanced post-processing, these still images are combined into a cohesive video, creating a sensation where time appears to stand still. Viewers can appreciate athletes' precise movements or the trajectory of a ball from multiple perspectives.

In the past, generating just a few seconds of “bullet time” footage could take days, but during the Paris Olympics, this technology will showcase such moments to a global audience within seconds. This year, AI-powered technology is deployed across 14 venues, using Alibaba Cloud's multi-camera replay system to achieve the “time and space freezing” effect, allowing for detailed 360-degree replays of exciting athletic feats. OBS has significantly improved playback quality in live broadcasts, which previously took hours to produce.

AI: The Driving Force Behind the Olympics

AI technology has rapidly advanced over the past year, showcasing its capabilities beyond event commentary and immersive live broadcasting. Its applications extend to visual search and more, fundamentally transforming how events are broadcasted.

A collaborative AI color restoration project between OBS and Alibaba has revitalized archival footage captured with black and white cameras, enhancing image quality to rival modern standards. Additionally, OBS is employing AI to categorize previous Olympic Games' archives, making it easier for viewers to find specific content.

Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of OBS, remarked that both professional producers and casual viewers can now search for personalized content related to past Olympic events. This year's Olympics not only ignite sports enthusiasts' passion but also highlight AI's growing significance in contemporary broadcasting.

Thomas Bach, the IOC President, stated that, much like the athletes, unity drives success: “Only by uniting can we run faster, aim higher, and be stronger.” Alibaba's commitment to leveraging AI technology promises to elevate cloud broadcasting for the 2024 Paris Olympics, embodying the Olympic motto: “faster, higher, stronger, together.”

As we witness this transformative shift, it becomes clear that AI's role extends beyond mere entertainment; it is a pivotal force in shaping a new era of global engagement and innovation.