Ascot Hosts World-First Live Ultra-High-Resolution Immersive Horse Racing Broadcast

Live sports coverage took a major step forward on Saturday as Ascot Racecourse premiered what organisers say is the world's first live ultra‑high‑resolution immersive broadcast of a horse racing event, delivering real‑time pictures with exceptional depth, clarity and realism.

The showcase, focused on next‑generation immersive video workflows, was delivered through a collaboration spanning capture, encoding, connectivity and on‑site operations between Ascot Racecourse, RaceTech, Ateme, Focal Point VR Ltd, and Bluebell Opticom.

- Focal Point VR deployed its multi‑8K sensor immersive camera system, providing stereoscopic depth and clarity at 37 pixels‑per‑degree fidelity.
- Bluebell Opticom supplied flexible fibre connectivity linking Focal Point VR's camera system and processing engine.
- Ateme's TITAN encoder handled real‑time processing of the ultra‑high‑resolution feed, encoding directly into Apple’s MV‑HEVC immersive format for seamless playback on Apple Vision Pro.
- RaceTech and Ascot Racecourse enabled live‑race operations and integrated the demonstration into the venue environment.

The collaboration set a new benchmark for live immersive sports broadcasting, with the real‑time experience presented to selected VIP guests at Ascot on race day.

Graham Badger, Head of Media and Broadcast, Ascot Racecourse, said: "This demonstration at Ascot showed the power of collaboration across the industry. Together this technology can push the boundaries of what fans can experience in real time, bringing people closer to the heart of the sport and making them feel as though they’re truly there. We see this as a major step forward, and we're excited by the opportunities it will create for our audiences."

James Gray, Commercial Director, RaceTech, said: "With innovation being so important to RaceTech, the team are delighted to be involved in the delivery of this live immersive experience. Ascot Racecourse is a world-renowned venue of sporting excellence, so is a fitting place to demonstrate this technology. The immersive experience really makes it feel like you have been transported into the parade ring. I am confident this demonstration will provide innovative opportunities for RaceTech's existing customer base and a multitude of other applications in live events."

"This exclusive 'Focal Point VR and Ateme' pipeline sets a new standard for live immersive broadcasting," said Mickael Raulet, CTO at Ateme. "It demonstrates how ultra-high-resolution immersive video can be delivered live, bringing audiences closer to the action and enhancing the sense of presence at major sporting events."

www.ateme.com