Vivaro Helps Produce 2023 Pan American Games

The 2023 Pan American Games, held in Santiago, Chile from October 20 to November 5, celebrated athletic excellence and also marked an evolution in sports broadcasting. The event showcased innovative approaches in media technology and sustainability in production, led by the global media group Vivaro.

With services ranging from transmission and production to digital OTT, security, and e-sports, Vivaro, headquartered in Mexico, played a role in redefining standards for international sporting events, setting a precedent for future event broadcasting and production.

Revolutionizing Live Broadcast: As a Co-Host Broadcaster, Vivaro’s approach to live production resulted in the live broadcast of nearly the entire event, a first in the history of the Pan American Games. “The Pan American Games provided a unique platform to demonstrate Vivaro’s capabilities in transforming sports broadcasting,” remarks Gustavo Mario De la Garza Flores, CEO of Vivaro Group. The organizer’s Panam Sports Channel further amplified this reach by broadcasting the games live and free, offering nine live signals to global audiences. This approach offered a wider reach and brought fans closer to the sports, able to witness over 6,900 athletes from 41 countries competing in 31 disciplines contributing to Olympic qualification for Paris 2024.

Cost Efficient & Innovative Production: Vivaro Video’s use of Remote Production (REMI) was a game-changer, reducing the ‘host broadcaster’ expense by 41% compared to the 2019 games. “Our commitment to REMI technology not only enhanced broadcast quality but also marked a significant step in cost-efficient production,” says Rodrigo Peralta, CEO of Vivaro’s subsidiary in Chile. This was coupled with an increase of over 700 live hours compared to the previous games, for a total of 1,900 live hours. The team, comprising over 500 local technical professionals and remote production staff across Spain, Portugal, and Argentina, ensured a high-quality broadcast.

Enhancing Broadcast Quality: Vivaro’s contribution extended beyond production and broadcasting. It also managed the International Point of Presence (POP), utilizing a robust fiber optic network for seamless connectivity and signal transport. The operations, based in the Games’ International Broadcast Centre (IBC), were crucial in maintaining the broadcast’s integrity and reach. “By deploying Appear’s X Platform, we minimized energy consumption and optimized shipping costs without compromising on quality,” explains Carlos Jurado, Senior Director at Vivaro’s division in Canada. This setup, facilitating remote production and distribution workflows, integrated industry standards with an array of processing and network functions.

The 2023 Pan American Games represented a milestone in content transmission and production. The collaborative efforts of Panam Sports Channel, Mediapro, and Vivaro showcased how media solutions can evolve to be more cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and accessible. This event has undoubtedly set a new standard for future international sporting events.