Advanced HDR by Technicolor Enables 2024 UEFA Championship’s French Broadcast in High Dynamic Range

The 2024 UEFA European Soccer Championship provided the stage for a groundbreaking implementation of Advanced HDR by Technicolor, marking a major milestone in modern sports broadcasting. French broadcaster M6, in collaboration with key technology partners, demonstrated the potential of Advanced HDR technology to transform visual quality while addressing the operational and economic challenges of delivering HDR content at scale. In a vidcast interview for journalists conducted by BizTechReports, experts directly involved in the implementation of the HDR UEFA event broadcast gathered to provide their insights into the lessons learned.

“This was a significant step forward for us,” said Mathias Bejanin, Director of Technologies at M6. “We’ve explored Ultra HD in the past, but Advanced HDR by Technicolor allowed us to broadcast in HDR effectively for the first time, providing a much more immersive experience for our viewers. It’s a game-changer in delivering high-quality content.”

Overcoming Roadblocks

Historically, HDR adoption in France faced technical and regulatory roadblocks, including limited compatibility with Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and set-top boxes. Two recent developments set the stage for this trial: UEFA’s production of the tournament in 1080p HDR and the launch of a new DTT multiplex optimized for high-quality HDR broadcasts.

“HDR provides what we call ‘better pixels’ by enhancing contrast, brightness, and color fidelity without the need for higher resolution like UHD,” explained Bejanin. “This approach offered us a cost-effective solution while maintaining exceptional quality.”

Implementing HDR at scale requires seamless integration of multiple technologies, which was made possible by Advanced HDR by Technicolor. The system’s automation capabilities played a key role in overcoming the operational complexities of handling mixed signal formats and varying production conditions.

“From a production perspective, Cobalt Digital tools integrate Advanced HDR by Technicolor processes, enabling seamless transitions between SDR and HDR content,” said Ryan Wallenberg, VP of Engineering at Cobalt Digital. “This automation allows us to dynamically adjust signals while maintaining high-quality output, making it easier to deliver consistent experiences across different platforms.”

Wallenberg highlighted the importance of dynamic conversion: “Live sports like soccer involve constant changes in lighting and movement. Advanced HDR by Technicolor’s Intelligent Tone Management (ITM) ensures smooth transitions and minimizes manual intervention during production.”

Automation Drives Efficiency

Frederic Plissonneau, HDR System Architect at InterDigital, emphasized the role of machine learning and automation in enabling Advanced HDR by Technicolor.

“This technology mimics what a skilled human operator would do to optimize SDR to HDR conversion,” he said. “By analyzing vast datasets and applying dynamic expansion curves, Advanced HDR by Technicolor automates the process while still allowing for customization when needed. This balance of automation and control is critical for live broadcasts.”

Plissonneau also noted that the system’s temporal smoothing capabilities are essential for managing changes in lighting conditions. “Whether it’s a shadow moving across the field or a sudden change in brightness, Advanced HDR by Technicolor ensures that transitions are smooth and free of visual artifacts,” he said.

A key feature of Advanced HDR by Technicolor is its single-layer distribution model, known as SL-HDR. This innovation allows broadcasters to transmit both SDR and HDR content using a single signal, reducing bandwidth requirements and simplifying workflows.

“SL-HDR technology lets us deliver HDR content without requiring separate channels or doubling transmission costs,” Plissonneau explained. “It’s already being used in the U.S. and offers a scalable solution for broadcasters worldwide.”

Bejanin echoed this sentiment, noting that Advanced HDR by Technicolor’s single-layer approach is critical for addressing the cost challenges of HDR adoption. “Switching entirely to HD HDR on DTT using SL-HDR could modernize our broadcasting infrastructure while keeping costs manageable,” he said.

A Collaborative Effort

The trial involved extensive testing and collaboration among industry leaders. M6 worked closely with Cobalt Digital, InterDigital, and independent consultant Jean-Luc Wackermann to ensure a successful rollout.

“We conducted rigorous trials to evaluate equipment and workflows,” Bejanin said. “Cobalt’s flexibility and the quality of Advanced HDR by Technicolor were instrumental in meeting our objectives.”

Jean-Luc Wackermann, Independant Consultant

Wackermann highlighted the importance of dynamic conversion in the trial. “Static conversion methods can’t handle the complexities of live sports,” he said. “Advanced HDR by Technicolor’s dynamic capabilities provided the best results, ensuring consistent quality across all feeds.”

While the trial was a technical success, broader adoption of HDR will depend on consumer demand and regulatory support.

“The feedback from viewers has been overwhelmingly positive,” Bejanin said. “However, widespread adoption requires compatible devices and infrastructure upgrades. ISPs are showing interest in HDR-compatible set-top boxes, which could drive future growth.”

Plissonneau added, “Advanced HDR by Technicolor offers a compelling solution for scaling HDR without disrupting existing workflows. Its backward-compatible design ensures a smooth transition for broadcasters and viewers alike.”

Economic and Strategic Implications

HDR represents a cost-effective way to enhance visual quality compared to UHD. “With Advanced HDR by Technicolor, we deliver a premium experience without quadrupling our bandwidth and storage requirements,” Bejanin said. “It’s an ideal format for modernizing DTT and maintaining its relevance in a competitive media landscape.”

Jean-Luc Wackermann agreed, emphasizing the return on investment of HDR. “For broadcasters, HDR is the best compromise between quality and cost. Advanced HDR by Technicolor’s dynamic features make it a practical choice for enhancing the viewing experience without excessive investments.”

The 2024 UEFA European Soccer Championship demonstrated the transformative potential of Advanced HDR by Technicolor in live sports broadcasting. By delivering enhanced visual quality through innovative solutions like SL-HDR, the technology has set a new standard for cost-effective, scalable HDR implementation.

“Advanced HDR by Technicolor proved that HDR can be seamlessly integrated into existing workflows while delivering significant value to both broadcasters and viewers,” Wallenberg concluded.

As broadcasters like M6 continue to refine their HDR strategies, Advanced HDR by Technicolor stands out as a vital tool for elevating the viewing experience and meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving market.

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View the full vidcast interview here.