Discovery’s ambition to unlock the power of the Olympics will be underpinned by its promise to give viewers the ability to watch every key moment, medal and hero with a unique approach to analyzing the action taking place in Tokyo. A new extended reality Cube studio will be the centerpiece of Discovery’s coverage of Tokyo 2020 showcasing new software and motion graphics that will push the Cube’s analytical capabilities to a whole new level, giving viewers the chance to deep dive into the details of why an athlete won gold.
The multi-location Cube studio for Tokyo 2020 will also feature up to seven different immersive real-time video environment locations; bespoke 360-degree beauty shots of Tokyo as backdrops; newly-released 3D Zoom software to allow viewers to see wider and more spectacular panoramic views of Cube locations; and a virtual set extension with cameras able to roam around the digital environment.
Greg Rutherford won the gold medal in the long jump for Team GB at London 2012. Rutherford, who is part of Discovery’s on-screen team for Tokyo in the UK and Ireland, said, “Using this enhanced augmented graphics technology analysis is so exciting. What it has shown me about the technical elements of my London 2012 winning jump is mind blowing. I had no idea about this cool stuff.
“This is the amazing insight that the new Cube will offer to viewers of Tokyo 2020 on Discovery. It’s so clever and fun and I think the audience will love it.”
— Greg Rutherford
“I’ve been able to clearly see how my penultimate stride — crucial in long jump — was way longer than it should have been from a technique point of view; and I did a ‘clutch jump’, which could have been potentially disastrous, as I’d previously ruptured my hamstring from this jump position.
“After the Olympics I never really reviewed the minutiae of what I did, but the new Cube tech has allowed me to take a closer look at the building blocks of that jump and see it in a different light. This is the amazing insight that the new Cube will offer to viewers of Tokyo 2020 on Discovery. It’s so clever and fun and I think the audience will love it.”
Scott Young, Senior VP of Content and Production, Discovery Sports, said: “The Cube is an incredible piece of immersive technology and we’re so excited to reveal new innovations to our virtual studio as the countdown to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games enters its final stage.
“The first iteration of the Cube used at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 marked a significant milestone in our technical development. The Cube has been at the center of our Grand Slam tennis coverage, and a major part of connecting with the players. Now, we’re set to take the Cube to a whole new level for Tokyo 2020. We hope the additional capabilities of the Cube will bring an extra dimension to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic storytelling and viewing experience, for audiences across all Discovery platforms,” said Young.
Games Coverage Through Immersive Technology
Discovery’s coverage of Tokyo 2020 will be broadcast on multiple platforms, including discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App. Viewers can access upwards of 3,500 hours of live action throughout the 17 days of competition. For Tokyo 2020, Discovery will serve fans in 50 countries and territories across Europe in 19 different languages.
“Team Discovery” will comprise nearly 150 experts and presenters spearheading Discovery’s mission to deliver unrivalled expertise and insight. With 84 Olympic medals from 198 Olympic Games appearances, the team will operate both on the ground in Tokyo and from local “in-country” hubs.
Andrew Georgiou, President of Sports, Discovery said: “After a challenging 18 months, all eyes will be on Tokyo next week, as the most eagerly anticipated Games in recent history finally get underway; and Team Discovery will be working hard to deliver the ultimate Olympic experience for all our viewers across Europe.
“Our mission for Tokyo 2020 is to unlock the power of the Olympics. Innovative, immersive technology such as the Cube is one of the ways that Discovery will enable the audience to take this journey with us. The Cube will be a significant part of what makes our coverage unique, alongside an unrivalled line-up of sports stars and experts, spanning our key markets.
“As the Streaming Home of the Olympics across Europe, we’ve been building up the excitement with a stunning array of Road to Tokyo content; and in Tokyo we will be broadcasting every unmissable moment of every sport throughout the Games so fans can create a personalized Tokyo 2020 experience live and on-demand,” said Georgiou.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 officially kicks off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 23, and will be broadcast on discovery+, Eurosport and the Eurosport App across 50 markets in Europe.
Discovery Partners with YouTube to Engage New Audiences
Discovery and YouTube have announced a new content and advertising partnership that will bring Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 moments to new and different audiences across Europe on-demand. The agreement builds on Discovery’s position as the Streaming Home of the Olympics in Europe.
Designed to keep audiences updated with the Games and showcase the full Olympic Games offering on discovery+ and Eurosport services, Eurosport YouTube Channel will host regular clips during the Games, including on-demand highlights, daily recaps and athlete spotlights. It will also present live streamed simulcast coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Rob Pilgrim, Head of Sport for YouTube in EMEA said: “The Olympic Games are so special because they are truly global. Every competing nation follows their athletes’ highs and lows so avidly, and we are delighted to have Discovery and Eurosport partner with YouTube to reach new and different audiences. Whoever you are cheering for, whatever sport you love, you will be able to catch up on all the action on the Eurosport YouTube channel.”
Discovery’s coverage of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be broadcast on multiple platforms, including discovery+, Eurosport and the Eurosport App. Discovery has also announced collaborations with SNAP and Twitter for Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, further taking its sport content to the places people are choosing to watch.
Meanwhile, Discovery and eToro have announced a new partnership that names the social investment platform as Discovery’s exclusive financial services partner for its Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 coverage. Discovery will help provide significant engagement opportunities at scale for eToro across 50 markets and in 19 languages.
As part of a major awareness building campaign, the agreement encompasses more than 1,000 TV billboards and over 300 TV spots during the Olympic Games. These will be showcased across Eurosport’s channels and digital streams guaranteeing brand exposure of what promises to be a unique global event that brings the world together this summer. Its placements will feature prominently around coverage of swimming, diving, athletics and team sports such as football.
eToro will also benefit from three weeks of visibility in the build-up to the Games that includes placement around Eurosport’s exclusive Olympic content and formats. Mike Rich, Head of Sports Marketing Solutions at Discovery, said: “We are looking forward to working with eToro and welcoming them as our first exclusive financial services partner for our Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 coverage. They have recognized the opportunity content and programming can bring, as well as Discovery’s ability to offer an access point to the largest aggregated audience of households and engaged sports fans in Europe.”
