LiveU AI Technology Sets New Benchmark at Winter Games

LiveU has announced the first major deployment of its AI-driven LiveU IQ (LIQ™) technology at a global sporting event, marking a significant milestone for IP contribution during the Winter Games. Broadcasters utilised LIQ to manage connectivity in demanding environments, ranging from high-density arenas to remote mountain locations.

The technology supported approximately 60% of sessions, resulting in average bitrates that were over 36% higher and facilitating consistent 4K and HDR coverage at scale.

More than 980 LiveU units were deployed by broadcasters from 37 countries, delivering over 15,000 hours of live broadcast and a total of 134TB of live video across nearly 12,000 live sessions, underscoring the industry's accelerating shift toward IP-based production models.

Unlike traditional IP bonding, LIQ uses AI-driven predictive congestion management and real-time network analysis to optimize transmission paths dynamically. This capability is particularly critical at major global sporting events, where thousands of competing devices, fluctuating network conditions, and geographically dispersed venues can challenge transmission stability. By anticipating network congestion and adapting in real time, LIQ enables broadcasters to maintain premium video quality even in highly complex, bandwidth-constrained environments.

"The Winter Games marked a pivotal moment for LiveU," said Ophir Zardok, Head of Sports Strategy & Business Development, LiveU. "This was the first time LIQ was deployed across a global sporting event of this magnitude. The results validated our vision for AI-driven connectivity – delivering significantly higher bitrates while maintaining rock-solid resiliency across thousands of live transmissions. For broadcasters operating in remote, high-density and multi-venue environments, that level of performance changes what's possible."

Cloud and remote production workflows were used by rights holders and broadcasters to centralize operations and streamline multi-platform distribution. Solutions including LiveU Studio, LiveU Matrix and LiveU Record supported flexible production models while reducing on-site crew requirements. LiveU's on-site and remote support teams ensured seamless deployment and operational continuity throughout the event.

Austria's national public broadcaster ORF deployed 23 LU800 units across Milan and Cortina, equipping 17 camera crews positioned throughout northern Italy. LiveU's longstanding local partner, ETAS High-Tech Systems GmbH, provided the units and the local support.

Christian Zettl, TV Production Manager at ORF, said, "The LiveU deployment gave us maximum flexibility and optimal conditions for bringing the Olympics into our viewers' living rooms as comprehensively as possible, while also contributing to significant savings in production costs. We primarily used the LU800 units for interviews and playouts, but also for transferring our footage from helmet cameras and for broadcasting scheduled interviews with up to three cameras."

"What we're seeing is a fundamental acceleration toward intelligent, IP-based production," Zardok added. "Broadcasters are no longer asking whether IP can handle premium live sports — they're asking how far they can scale it. As we look ahead to the upcoming world football championship in the Americas, we expect this momentum to grow significantly."

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