Milano Cortina 2026: new use of drones in TV broadcasting explained by Yiannis Exarchos (OBS)

"Essentially, we use drones in three ways: to showcase speed and the field of play; to support understanding in sports that rely more on judging; and, with more traditional drones flying higher, to place the competition in the context of its environment, particularly in locations offering spectacular views, as is the case in northern Italy," said Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS, the IOC subsidiary responsible for producing the TV images of the Games), at the organisation’s daily press conference in Milan on 11/02/2026.

OBS is deploying 860 cameras, 1,800 microphones and 25 drones — including 15 lightweight FPV models — for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Used on an unprecedented scale at these Italian Games, drones provide "more immersive" images and offer a "new way of telling the story of the action on the track". They are being deployed across all outdoor competition venues, including the Milano Speed Skating Stadium for the speed skating events, with the exception of indoor disciplines such as figure skating, curling and ice hockey.

"With…