NBC Olympics used RedSpy optical camera tracking in its studio production setup at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Milan for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The system supported a real-time production pipeline that combined LED displays, Unreal Engine graphics, and live broadcast cameras.
A detailed breakdown of the studio design and workflow was published by Sports Video Group in the article.
A virtual window overlooking the Duomo
Inside Studio A at the IBC, NBC built a large LED-driven studio environment designed to resemble a window overlooking the Duomo di Milano. The background did not behave like a flat video wall. Instead, the perspective shifted naturally as the camera moved.
Inside Studio A at the IBC, NBC built a large LED-driven studio environment designed to resemble a window overlooking the Duomo di Milano. The background did not behave like a flat video wall. Instead, the perspective shifted naturally as the camera moved.
A real-time Unreal Engine pipeline powered this effect. The system used RedSpy optical camera tracking to keep the virtual scene aligned with the physical camera position and lens data. As cameras moved across the studio floor, the Duomo scene adjusted in real time. This created the illusion of a real architectural view rather than a digital background.
The studio design also drew inspiration from Milan’s architecture. According to a separate breakdown by NewscastStudio, the studio environment used LED panels to recreate architectural features such as windows and arches. These elements visually connect the set with the surrounding city.
You can read more about it in the NewscastStudio article.
NBC also operated additional studio environments inside the IBC. Studio B featured a warmer chalet inspired design that reflected the mountain venues in Cortina. The production team could switch between visual styles depending on the sport and time of day.
Across the Milan studios, fine pixel pitch LED displays formed large architectural surfaces and scenic elements. These supported live studio programming and analysis segments.
Real-time production for large broadcast events
The workflow highlights how modern broadcast studios combine LED environments, Unreal Engine rendering, and optical camera tracking into one system.
When calibrated correctly, the virtual environment behaves like a natural part of the set.
For global productions such as the Olympic Games, this approach allows broadcasters to build flexible studio environments while maintaining reliable live broadcast performance.
