Samsung, in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), has announced plans to revolutionize the broadcast experience of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for viewers and fans. Using the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, first-of-its-kind footage will be captured and shared, playing a crucial role in showcasing the historic Opening Ceremony on the Seine River and the Olympic sailing competitions like never before.
As the Official Smartphone and Computing Equipment partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Samsung will leverage its advanced mobile technology and 5G connectivity to provide an up-close perspective of these iconic celebratory and competition moments. This innovative view, powered by Samsung Galaxy, will help Paris 2024 fulfill its promise of being the most open Games ever, while also enhancing Samsung’s legacy of supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Games through cutting-edge technology.
“In an increasingly connected society, Samsung Galaxy mobile technology has helped deepen and transform users’ relationships with the world, wherever they are. Having been a Worldwide Partner for nearly three decades, we know first-hand how important it is to create and enable the same meaningful connections at the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re honored to be working closely with the IOC and OBS to provide high-quality footage that will be part of a series of firsts at Paris 2024 and bring fans at home and onsite even closer to the excitement.”
In a historic first, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games will take place outside of a stadium. Paris 2024 will feature 10,500 athletes floating down the Seine River in designated boats for each national delegation, aiming to be the most open and accessible opening ceremony in history. Departing from the Austerlitz bridge, the iconic parade will follow a six-kilometer route through the center of Paris, passing some official Olympic venues before culminating in a grand finale at the Trocadéro.
To bring fans closer to the action and provide an intimate glimpse of athletes’ reactions during this unique voyage, Samsung will install more than 200 Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones at the bow and sides of each of the 85 athlete vessels during the opening ceremony. The high-quality HDR footage captured by the Galaxy S24 Ultra devices will be streamed via a private 5G network powered by Orange, the official mobile network provider of Paris 2024 in France. Orange will install over a dozen 5G antennas along the Seine to create France’s first-ever 5G standalone network, ensuring seamless 5G connectivity and viewing experience for fans worldwide.
Samsung will also use the same technology for the sailing competitions in Marseille, installing Galaxy S24 Ultra devices on each competition boat. This will let fans experience the thrill of the race alongside their favorite Olympians, bringing them closer to the action.
This initiative required extensive research, development, and testing, conducted in close collaboration with OBS and Orange, to ensure video quality and connectivity performance across various water bodies and weather conditions. Samsung and its partners overcame challenges by utilizing the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s optical image stabilization (OIS) features, increasing transmission power, and installing relay towers on chase boats to ensure a seamless livestream experience for viewers.
Yiannis Exarchos, Chief Executive Officer of OBS, expressed excitement about the partnership with Samsung, stating, “As host broadcaster of the Olympic Games, we’re incredibly excited about this partnership with Samsung which will allow a truly original perspective of Paris 2024, evolving the way in which fans will experience the Games. Samsung’s latest mobile innovation will allow millions of fans around the world to live and breathe the spirit, action, and emotion of the Opening Ceremony and sailing competitions alongside their favorite athletes in real-time.”
