NAB & Intel: Revolutionizing 8K Live Broadcasting

By Pickle April 3, 2025

Intel’s cutting-edge AI technology not only improved the viewing experience but also paved the way for the future of 8K high-definition streaming across nine countries.

As the Official Worldwide AI Platform Partner for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Intel redefined broadcast standards through revolutionary 8K streaming. This technological feat was led by Ravi Velhal, Intel’s worldwide content technology strategist and 8K lead, who played a crucial role in bringing this ambitious initiative to life.

Pioneering 8K Live OTT Broadcast for the Olympic Games

In association with OBS (Olympic Broadcasting Services) and RHBs (Rights Holder Broadcasters), Intel pioneered 8K OTT live broadcast delivery of selected Olympic Games Paris 2024 events to nine countries, including India. Additionally, in collaboration with GloboTV, the Games were streamed to the 8K TV consumer base in Brazil. This partnership with NAB marks a major step in democratizing 8K live broadcasting and carrying NAB’s century-long legacy forward.

A New Era of “More, Better, Faster Pixels” Broadcasting

Watching the Olympic Games in 8K resolution was an unparalleled experience. Every detail, from the athletes’ perspiration under stadium lights to the crowd’s passionate cheers, was preserved with crystal clarity. Once a distant vision, Intel’s collaboration with Olympic Broadcasting Services and other broadcasters turned it into reality.

Intel showcased the world’s first 8K OTT broadcast using H.266/VVC (Versatile Video Coding) during Paris 2024. Encoding and streaming 8K content required compressing raw feeds of 48 gigabits per second into a VVC-enabled livestream of just 40 to 60 megabits per second—a staggering 1,000:1 compression ratio achieved in milliseconds. This breakthrough was powered by Intel’s 5th Generation Xeon CPUs, setting a new benchmark for live sports broadcasting.

The Technical Marvel of 8K Streaming

Broadcast-grade cameras captured footage in 8K at 60 frames per second, combining high dynamic range (HDR) with 32 audio channels for an immersive experience. These raw feeds were processed by a specialized encoder, “broadcast in a box,” powered by Intel processors.

Before the Games, Velhal explained, “Our goal is to make 8K mainstream. It’s about providing live 8K streaming in the highest quality at the lowest bandwidth, allowing fans worldwide to experience the Olympics like never before.”

A Legacy of Innovation

Intel’s commitment to enhancing the Olympic experience is longstanding. During Tokyo 2020, Intel collaborated with OBS to webcast 416 hours of content, handling 4.7 petabytes of data. In Beijing 2022, Intel delivered the world’s first fully produced 8K virtual reality broadcast feed.

With Paris 2024, Intel solidified its position as a pioneer in 8K streaming. This technology not only transformed live viewing experiences but also laid the foundation for future broadcasting standards.

The Future of Low-Latency Streaming

Achieving ultra-low latency in live broadcasting remains a major challenge. During the Olympics, the delay from camera to TV was reduced to mere seconds—once thought impossible. Intel’s collaboration with industry partners helped overcome this barrier.
“Paris 2024 demonstrates that the future of low-latency, high-definition 8K livestreaming is now,” Velhal stated.

Throughout the Games, Intel’s AI platform processed petabytes of data frame by frame, ensuring fast-moving visuals were streamed with precision while minimizing delay.

A Vision for the Future

Intel’s groundbreaking work will leave a lasting impact on sports broadcasting. By leveraging advanced technology to deliver stunning 8K content, Intel enhanced viewer engagement and set the stage for future innovations. This historic deployment of 8K live streaming reached audiences in the UK, France, Germany, Malaysia, India’s Whistling Woods campus, and Brazil via TV Globo.

With Ravi Velhal leading the charge, Intel turned the Paris 2024 Olympics into a defining moment in sports broadcasting, ensuring audiences worldwide experienced the Games like never before.