Page 25 - AIB | The Chanel | Issue 2 2011

THE CHANNEL | ISSUE 2 2011 | 25
organise the telecoms to bring the
Games coverage into the IBC from
where it is distributed.
Is this satellite or fibre based?
In terms of the contribution, that is
the feed coming in from the venues
into the IBC, it's principally fibre
based, it's totally resilient and with
the exception of some of the
outlying venues such as the football
venues in the co‑host cities, it's
completely uncompressed HD.
Our core coverage is 2D HD,
1080i, 5.1 surround sound with
compatible stereo. Any 3D will be
parallel coverage. As for
distribution, it's whatever the RHBs
want to do – we are offering a
certain number of channels
distributed by satellite. In the past
the Host Broadcaster's
responsibilities stopped in the IBC
and it was up to the broadcasters to
then distribute the signal to their
home countries. We are now
offering a service of a number of
HD channels which the broad‑
casters can access via satellite.
One of the things we are using in
London is the so‑called Broadcast
Data Feed; it's based on the
Olympic Data Feed with additional
broadcast specific data – results,
information for commentators,
logging details for our video server,
news from the IBC, etc.
What do you provide to service
multi-platforms?
In terms of feeds coming from the
venues from us as host, it'll be
roughly just over 90 separate feeds.
On any day we feed a package to
all of the RHBs of roughly 40 of
those feeds, plus a few
supplementary ones to fit the
beauty cameras in. Those 40 or so
feeds are also now available from
us as IPTV streams at four different
bit rates. In London the central
video server in the IBC which the
broadcasters can access for browsing
or editing should be able to hold
the whole of the Games in HD.
What are you doing for radio?
We always provide the international
sound ‑ a separate mix for radio.
What about staff numbers?
At the moment we are a relatively
small organisation. Numbers
increase rapidly at Games time. We
are looking at around 5,500 staff,
including vendors. We have core
executive producers planning the
coverage but we then contract in
production teams which may be
from other broadcasters, maybe
independents, who are top of their
field, coming from the UK and
worldwide. OBS is very proud of
the Broadcast Training Programme
we run as a legacy. In London we
are giving 1,200 students training in
different aspects of sports broadcasting
and offer them paid employment at
Games time. It’s powerful to have
that on your CV.
Who is supplying the kit?
OBS has some lightweight production
kit and we own core distribution
facilities for the master control at the
IBC – that comes in pre‑fab and we'll
start installation later this year. We
contract the OB trucks. Whilst we
have the RHBs’ areas constructed for
them, we don't do the technical fit‑
out. It is up to the individual RHBs
whether they want to bring in kit or
do a deal with a leasing company.
There is obviously short‑term hire
and work for systems integrators.
What stage is everything at?
We are on track, where we wanted
to be at this time. We'll move our
offices into the IBC early next year.
What are you enjoying most?
It is a kind of honour being involved in
the Olympics in one's home country.
I also enjoy being in London and I
have learnt a lot about the city.
Are you looking forward to the closing?
I think you always do. But you
focus on the opening.
Paul Mason, thank you.
ww
w.obs.es/obslondon2012
SPORT | THE CHANNEL
▼
Far left The
Velodrome at
London’s Olympic
Park
Centre The new
specialty vehicle
for outside races
Right Paul Mason