🏋️‍♂️ EBU Sports Platform Marks Two-Year Anniversary

Alan Fagan, Head of Eurovision Sport, announced that over the past two years, the project has evolved from a pilot web platform into a fully fledged ecosystem covering more than 20 sports and 150 tournaments annually.

At its inception, the project was developed alongside technology partner Nagravision as a website and mobile app. Recently, the strategic focus shifted toward expanding onto Smart TV platforms: the service has already rolled out on Apple TV and Android TV, with integration across other connected TV operating systems scheduled next.

Furthermore, the EBU is actively embedding player widgets directly into the websites of international sports federations—including World Athletics, World Aquatics, and the IBU—to reach target audiences on the platforms they prefer.

Given the immense volume of broadcasts, the EBU relies heavily on artificial intelligence to automate routine workflows:

• Automated Clipping: Real-time systems automatically generate highlights and short vertical videos, significantly reducing the editorial team’s workload.
• AI-Powered Simultaneous Translation: Starting in early 2025, the service partnered with CAMB.AI to test automated commentary dubbing. Using a single source track (such as a French commentator), the system generated audio tracks in 8 languages—including Hindi and Mandarin—with a delay of just five seconds, unlocking access to Asian markets.
• Transcription and Subtitling: AI handles real-time contextual subtitling, a key driver for accessibility during Paralympic Games broadcasts.

The EBU emphasizes that AI commentary is not intended to replace human broadcasters, and its use is always explicitly labeled for viewers.

In the UK, Eurovision Sport piloted a Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) format in partnership with Amagi. The 24/7 channel blends live broadcasts, archival footage, and highlight reels, serving as a primary storefront to drive traffic to the main platform. The EBU plans to roll out FAST channels across other European countries and international markets in the near future.

As Alan Fagan notes, against a backdrop of fragmented broadcasting rights, Eurovision Sport’s core mission is to bridge the gap between fans and non-football sports by ensuring free, seamless access to Olympic disciplines.