Inside Telemundo Deportes' Cutting-Edge Virtual Studio for the Paris 2024 Olympics
By utilizing a state-of-the-art virtual set, Telemundo Deportes seamlessly transported viewers to the heart of Paris, recreating the city’s charm and iconic landmarks in an immersive experience.
August 20, 2024
In a city as iconic as Paris, especially during the 2024 Summer Olympics, prime studio space is in high demand. While Telemundo Deportes kicked off its coverage from a shared rooftop studio with NBC News during the Games’ opening weekend, the network soon transitioned to a more groundbreaking solution. After the initial on-site broadcasts, the rest of the programming originated from Studio L at Telemundo Center in Miami. By utilizing a state-of-the-art virtual set, Telemundo Deportes seamlessly transported viewers to the heart of Paris, recreating the city’s charm and iconic landmarks in an immersive experience.
“I couldn’t imagine what this was going to be when our team started working on it,” says Manashi Mukherjee, VP of Technical Production at Telemundo. “The final product has exceeded everything that I could have imagined. It has been a labor of love, but our team enjoys innovating and being creative.”
A Controlled, Cost-Effective Environment
For Telemundo Deportes, highlighting the beauty of Paris was crucial. However, with limited real estate in the French capital, the network found the perfect solution in its existing virtual studio. Directed by real-time graphics expert Fabián Albarracín and his team, the virtual set captures the essence of Paris with stunning realism.
The virtual studio, originally developed for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, has undergone continuous improvements over the past five years. This advanced setup allows Telemundo to deliver unparalleled coverage while maintaining a controlled environment—free from the unpredictability of weather and other external factors.
The innovation was about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in broadcast production. By using photorealistic models and real-time rendering with Unreal Engine 5, the Telemundo team recreated a stunning virtual set that mimicked the look and feel of Paris down to the smallest details—like the movement of cars and the weathering on statues.
“Our leadership is keen on letting us try new ideas and test things out,” Mukherjee said. “This technology is the future of sports and news coverage, and we’re excited to be leading the way.”
Bringing Paris to Life
Although the team is based in Miami, the virtual set adapts to the current conditions in Paris, from the time of day to the weather. The set uses cutting-edge technology including Unreal Engine 5.3, Blackmagic Design’s Ultimatte chroma keyer, Chyron PRIME VSAR graphics, and Stype’s Red Spy tracking system to create an environment that feels authentically Parisian. “We easily choose between different time zones,” Albarracín explains, “and Unreal Engine will automatically change the lighting of the sun.”
Achieving this level of realism requires extensive collaboration across multiple teams. The set-design crew and real-time specialists work closely with the production team to ensure every detail is perfect—from the accurate positioning of landmarks like the Panthéon and Notre Dame to the addition of virtual tourists on the Eiffel Tower’s observation deck.
Immersive Storytelling That Captivates
The virtual studio’s expansive green screen allows for seamless camera movements, making the experience even more immersive for both the talent and the viewers. The use of Stype camera tracking technology allows for this feeling. “Our talent feels like they’re working from a grand space,” Mukherjee notes, “because they look at the composite monitors and forget that the green screen is there.”
One of the standout features of the virtual set is its ability to zoom in on iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower, offering viewers a level of detail that would be impossible in a traditional setting. As Mukherjee adds, “We’re able to take a camera and zoom straight in on one of our sculptures and see it in incredible detail.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Virtual Studio Production
While the Paris 2024 Olympics have wrapped, the Telemundo Deportes team is already looking to the future. The lessons learned from this project will inform the network’s approach to upcoming events, with Studio L likely playing a pivotal role in future productions.
For now, the focus remains on delivering exceptional coverage of the Games. This groundbreaking work has broader implications beyond just the Olympics. The success of the virtual studio has set a new standard for future productions, not just within Telemundo but across the industry. It’s a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration, with every detail—from set design to real-time rendering—handled by Telemundo’s in-house team in bringing the world’s most iconic cities to life on screen.
