Alibaba Cloud and OBS Unveil Innovative Cloud Solutions for the Olympic Games
September 19 2018 - 4:00AM
Business Wire
Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud
computing arm of Alibaba Group, announced today the launch of OBS
Cloud, an innovative broadcasting solution that operates entirely
on the cloud, to help transform the media industry for the digital
era. Set to be in place for Tokyo 2020, the OBS Cloud aims to offer
all the necessary cloud components, in specialized configurations,
that can support the extremely demanding content production and
delivery workflows of the broadcasting of the Olympic Games.
Tokyo 2020 will be a game-changer for broadcasters as it
showcases new possibilities for the industry by presenting
solutions on the cloud. The use of cloud technologies has been
gradually adopted for content creation and distribution purposes in
broadcasting, however the extremely demanding requirements for
volume, speed and latency that are inherent in live sports
broadcasting of major events have kept the use of the cloud at a
very low level, despite its multiple advantages. Apart from
providing inherent flexibility and scalability, the use of the
cloud may also help with the limited time frame that broadcasters
have to set up, test and commission their on-premises systems.
Traditionally, broadcasters of the Olympics have only been able to
implement and test their equipment upon arrival at the
International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in the host city, and the
physical space dedicated to broadcasters on site has always been in
high demand.
As the host broadcaster, OBS can now provide most of the visual
and audio assets of the Olympic Games to all Rights Holding
Broadcasters (RHBs) through the new cloud platform efficiently,
effectively and securely. Broadcasters can also set up their own
content creation, management and distribution systems on OBS Cloud,
a solution that has been optimized to address the particular needs
of the most demanding live multi-sport workflows.
The proprietary OBS Cloud leverages Alibaba Cloud’s services
featuring best-in-class technology infrastructure to create an
optimal media broadcasting environment for all RHBs of the
Olympics. The OBS Cloud, which will run on the most advanced Intel®
Xeon® scalable processors, offers a suite of solutions including
super computing capabilities, high-speed connectivity directly from
the IBC, easily accessible cloud storage considering the demanding
Olympic requirements, real-time monitoring, live video and audio
broadcasting services and media processing.
Also announced today was a partnership aimed at advancing the
digital transformation of the Olympics and delivering volumetric
content over the OBS Cloud for the first time at the Olympic Games
Tokyo 2020. Intel, also an Olympic TOP Partner, will collaborate
with Alibaba and OBS to explore a more efficient and reliable
delivery pipeline of immersive media to RHBs worldwide that will
improve the fan experience and bring them closer to the action via
Intel’s volumetric and virtual reality technologies.
Additionally, the live media service on OBS Cloud allows RHBs to
experiment with new program ideas in a secure sandbox environment
or conduct interactive event broadcasts, accelerating the
digitization of the coverage during the Games.
After the Games, RHBs will also have the flexibility to move
their deployment home or keep the asset within the OBS Cloud for
future Olympic events.
“We are very pleased that Alibaba Cloud has come up with this
innovative and powerful approach to Olympic broadcasting. As the
host broadcaster of the Olympic Games, we at OBS see ourselves as a
leader in transforming the media industry,” said Yiannis Exarchos,
CEO of OBS. “Tokyo 2020 will be an opportunity for the
International Olympic Committee to champion digital transformation
in the media industry, as well as empowering broadcasters around
the world with a cloud platform that delivers new possibilities for
how the Games are enjoyed by fans around the world.”
Joey Tan, General Manager of Global Strategic Accounts and
Sports Business Unit, Alibaba Cloud said, “The future of the
Olympic Games is in cloud technology and Alibaba Cloud is fully
committed to contribute to the digital transformation of the
Olympic Games through innovation. This partnership with OBS is an
exciting initiative to expand the reach and accessibility of the
Olympic Games content and ultimately stimulate a rethink on how the
media industry operates in a digital era. We are excited to create
a new standard in broadcasting and a more enjoyable experience for
audiences around the world during Tokyo 2020.”
Jay Sankar, CTO and Head of Product of Intel Sports, commented,
“Sports fans today are seeking more immersive and engaging
experiences. Intel’s partnership with Alibaba Cloud and OBS is
aimed at delivering these ground-breaking experiences to Rights
Holding Broadcasters and fans in a seamless, efficient manner over
the OBS Cloud, powered by the most advanced Intel Xeon Scalable
processors.”
The partnership between Alibaba Group and the International
Olympic Committee began in January 2017 when the two parties signed
a long-term strategic agreement that will help transform the
Olympic Games for the digital era. Alibaba is now serving as the
official “Cloud Services” and “E-Commerce Platform Services”
partner.
About Olympic Broadcasting Services
Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) was created by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2001 in order to serve as
the Host Broadcasting organisation for all Olympic Games. As Host
Broadcaster, OBS is responsible for delivering the pictures and
sounds of the Olympic Games to billions of viewers around the
world. It produces and transmits unbiased live radio and television
coverage of every sport from every venue, as well as content and
data specifically designed for digital and social media
delivery.
OBS has developed a consistent approach across all Olympic
operations while at the same time optimising resources to
continually improve the efficiency of the Host Broadcast operation.
OBS does so to ensure that the Games’ Rights Holding Broadcasters
(RHBs) are satisfied with the overall production of the Olympic
Games and that the impact of the broadcast footprint on the host
city is as minimal as possible.
About Alibaba Cloud
Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com), the
cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, was China’s largest provider
of public cloud services in 2016 by revenue, according to IDC.
Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing
services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing
business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and
government organizations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud
Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180919005256/en/
Olympic Broadcasting ServicesMatthew Mason, +34
918 397 490mmason@obs.tvorAlibaba CloudJowie Law, +86
136 2571 9035yukman.lym@alibaba-inc.comClaudia Ju, +86 571
86561860Claudia.ju@alibaba-inc.com
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