Experimental broadcasts using 5G Broadcast from the Eiffel Tower are accompanying this year’s Roland-Garros tennis championships.
The partnership between TDF and France Télévisions also includes mobile smartphone reception tests inside the stadium and the capture and broadcast in Native UHD (Ultra High Definition).
Pascale Varnière, Managing Director of TDF’s Audiovisual Business Unit, said: “With France Télévisions, we’re proud to broadcast the tournament in Ultra High Definition (UHD 4K), enabling a wide audience to watch live tennis matches in outstanding quality. And soon, thanks to our increasingly advanced 5G Broadcast trials, it will also be possible to watch live DTT content outdoors and on the go via smartphone. We are committed, alongside broadcasters, to modernising DTT to meet viewers’ changing habits and expectations.”
France Télévisions’ coverage is being broadcast by TDF using 5G Broadcast technology, with mobile reception tests taking place within the stadium grounds. This new large-scale experiment marks a significant step toward the future of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
5G Broadcast is now compatible with a wider range of smartphones, including four models from three different manufacturers. It is anticipated that within three years it will be possible to watch television outdoors on a smartphone, free of charge, without using mobile data or Wi-Fi, while enjoying exceptional image quality comparable to DTT.
Jacques Donat-Bouillud, Director of Distribution at France Télévisions, said: “As the longstanding broadcast partner of Roland-Garros, France Télévisions is constantly working to enhance its offering and deliver a more engaging experience for viewers.”
France Télévisions coverage on France 2 UHD is being broadcast on DTT. Close to 50 million people – three in four of the population – can receive the broadcasts with a compatible TV set.
France Télévisions shares the domestic TV rights to Roland-Garros with Amazon Prime Video.
