ABOUT OBS > Introduction

OBS Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) was created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in May 2001, marking a new era in the broadcasting of the Olympic Games. OBS was established to ensure the high standards of broadcasting were maintained over successive Olympic Games.

The IOC created OBS to serve as the Olympic Broadcast Organization or Host Broadcaster for all future Olympic Games. As the Host Broadcaster, OBS is chiefly responsible for providing the pictures and images of the Olympic Games as a service to all broadcast organisations who have purchased the television and radio rights to the Games.

    The specific duties of the Host Broadcaster are as follows:
  • Produce the international television and radio (ITVR) signals of the Games.
  • Design, build, install and operate and then dismantle the International Broadcast Centre (IBC).
  • Design, build, install, operate and then remove such facilities and equipment at the competition venues and select non-competition venues.
  • Coordinate and provide various facilities and services to the Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs).
  • Represent the needs of the RHBs to the Local Organizing Committee regarding a variety of facilities and services.
  • Produce various features.
  • Assist the Organizing Committee in the design and building of infrastructure needed at the venues to accommodate the needs of OBS and the RHBs.

The OBS obligations commenced with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. In Beijing, a cooperative joint venture between OBS and the Local Organizing Committee (BOCOG) created Beijing Olympic Broadcasting (BOB), the on-site Host Broadcaster for the 2008 Games. BOB was responsible for the day-to-day operations in Beijing under the management of OBS.

The 2010 Vancouver Games marked the first time that the Host Broadcast was solely an OBS operation. In December 2006, OBS created Olympic Broadcasting Services Vancouver to serve as the on-site organization responsible for the Host Broadcasting function again under the supervision of OBS.

The 2012 London Games are also a complete OBS operation. Working from Madrid, OBS plans broadcast coverage for the Olympic Games. OBS has also created a local office in London, Olympic Broadcasting Services London (OBSL), to more efficiently coordinate those aspects of the operation which require direct contact, and close coordination with the Organising Committee.

    Ultimately, the OBS team is responsible for the following:
  • Developing a consistent approach across Olympic operations.
  • Supplying a well-organized and streamlined approach to the successful television production of the Olympic Games.
  • Furnishing specialized, state-of-the-art equipment.
  • Ensuring that all IOC contractual obligations are fulfilled and broadcasters are satisfied.
  • Optimizing resources to continually improve the efficiency of the Host Broadcaster operation.

The OBS main offices are located in Madrid, while the OBS Operational-Technical headquarters are in northern Madrid (Tres Cantos). In addition to this, the OBS Warehouse is located in Barajas approximately 15km from the OBS main offices. The OBS London office is based in Central London.