Paris, 3 Feb (Xinhua) -- As the Beijing Winter Olympics are about to open, have you begun to look forward to sitting in front of the TV set together to enjoy the athletes' cool and heroic posture in the arena when you are reunited with your family?
The Olympic Games entered thousands of homes through television screens, and the Olympic Broadcasting Company (OBS) behind it contributed a lot. This sub-agency, set up by the International Olympic Committee, is responsible for providing public signals for Olympic broadcast television to Olympic rights holders around the world.
On February 2, 2021, Exacos, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services, addressed the 2021 World Broadcasters Conference at the Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Chenlin
It is worth mentioning that obs' debut was at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. OBS CEO Ioannis Exacos is a complete witness to Beijing's emergence as the "City of The Two Olympics". In an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency a few days ago, this Greek friend who has deep feelings for China revealed many stories behind the Olympic broadcast.
New technologies from 8K to drones make the Winter Olympics more exciting
At each Winter Olympics, the use of new technologies is often the focus of attention, and the field of television broadcasting is no exception. At the Beijing Winter Olympics, the broadcast signal of all competitions will achieve 4K ultra-clear coverage, which is the first time in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. Some of the key matches will also be broadcast in 8K.
"China's rapid development in the 8K field is a future standard for television broadcasting, but at the Beijing Winter Olympics, some important competitions will introduce this technology." Exacos said.
In addition, the use of a large number of drones will also be a highlight of this Winter Olympics. In addition, the 360-degree playback technology, which has been very mature in many summer sports, will also be fully applied to the Winter Olympic Games.
The picture shows the Zhangjiakou Winter Olympic Village photographed by drones. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yang Shiyao
At the Tokyo Olympics, OBS had a very interesting innovation - using a digital platform to record selfies for viewers, and video of cheering and supporting athletes was transmitted directly to the venue through remote services, a move that will also be retained at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
"After each race, athletes have the opportunity to video connect with friends and family on the spot. At the Tokyo Olympics, we only tried a few events, and the effect was very good, leaving a lot of classic pictures. At the Beijing Winter Olympics, we will use this technology in all venues and all competitions. ”
The OBS team from Tokyo to Beijing experienced great challenges
"For an Olympic Games, the work involved in telecasting is as complex as the organization of the Games themselves." Exacos said.
At the Beijing Winter Olympics, the total number of radio and television signal production teams exceeded 4,000 people from more than 60 countries and regions, of which about one-third were Chinese staff. Getting such a large team to operate efficiently is not an easy task in itself.
"Our work is as long as the cycle required for the preparation of the event itself. This means that before the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics began, we began to prepare for the televised broadcast of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Exacos said.
Under the impact of the epidemic, the Tokyo Olympic Games were postponed for one year, and it took only about half a year from the Tokyo Olympics to the Beijing Winter Olympics, which also completely disrupted the work plans of Exarchos and his colleagues.
A month before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, the International Broadcasting Center (IBC) of the Beijing Winter Olympics was officially delivered to OBS by the Winter Olympic Organizing Committee. This means that there are two Olympic 'IBCs' running at the same time. This is the first time in the history of the Olympic Games. I am very proud and proud of my colleagues. Thanks also to the organizing committees of the two Olympic Games, it is their professional standards that make this possible. ”
From the 2008 to 2022 Olympic Games to leave a rich "legacy" on China's broadcast industry
OBS first served as a provider of public signals for olympic radio and television at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Prior to that, Exacus lived in Beijing for more than three years, where he, along with many Chinese staff, made his OBS debut in Olympic history.
On the evening of August 24, 2008, the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games was held at the National Stadium, and brilliant flowers bloomed over the "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube". Xinhua News Agency
"Since then, I have developed a deep relationship with my Chinese partners. I've been working and living here for a long time, and in a sense, it's like my second home, so I'm very excited to be back this time. Exacos said.
"But frankly, in 2008, China was still a 'learner' in the field of television broadcasting, and it was still some distance from the world-class level." But today, more than a decade later, China has made rapid progress in this regard, and has undoubtedly reached the world's leading level. The Chinese staff in our team are very professional and of a very high standard. ”
In Exacos's view, the successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games has left China with a rich legacy, including the accumulation of rich experience in the field of television broadcasting, and the cultivation of a large number of outstanding talents.
At the Beijing Winter Olympics, OBS also launched a training program aimed at training university students to participate in the broadcasting of the Olympic Games and train broadcasting professionals for the host country. A total of more than 600 students from five universities in Beijing and Hebei stood out from the selection and obtained OBS paid internship qualifications.
"These young people will work with the best professionals in the world to get up close and personal with the whole process of Olympic broadcasting. I believe this will leave a valuable asset for China's television broadcasting industry. Exacos said.
From traditional channels to new platforms OBS actively embraces digital platforms
After the Beijing Olympic Games, the way the Olympic Games are disseminated has undergone tremendous changes. These changes are not only technical, but also media-based. The advent of digital media and social media has had a huge impact on traditional television broadcasting, especially among young people.
"We're not adapting to this trend, we're actively embracing it." Exacos particularly emphasized the initiative of OBS.
Since the last Winter Olympics, OBS has been adding communication content aimed at digital and social media. According to Exacos, during the Beijing Winter Olympics, OBS will produce more than 6,000 hours of content, more than half of which will be prioritized for digital platforms.
"We want to engage young people and spread the values of the Olympics. Technology is just how we achieve this, so we will not limit ourselves to traditional TV platforms, we will pay more and more attention to the spread on digital platforms and social platforms. Exacos said.
Source: Xinhua News Agency