Buy Tickets
Martin Krischke, Head of Production in conversation
While the biggest sporting event in the world, the American Football Super Bowl, took place in New Orleans last Sunday as professionally and spectacularly as ever, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) has a similarly important task with the live broadcast of the ongoing Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
As the official broadcast host, the ORF directors and program professionals are staging a TV spectacle made in Austria on behalf of "Infront", the international broadcasting rights holder for the FIS. These images are going around the world and present Austria as the world's leading ski nation and charming host country.
Under the confident leadership of ORF Head of Sports Production Martin Krischke, the national broadcaster uses the latest production and transmission technologies to ensure razor-sharp transmissions in HD quality and, with a sophisticated camera concept, offers spectacular images from up to 56 cameras as well as racing drones, helmet and super slow-motion cameras so that viewers always have the best possible view of the action.
Wired All the Way Up to 1,984 m
At the last Ski World Championships, "Infront" produced its own so-called "World Feed". In Saalbach-Hinterglemm, the ORF was able to draw on the many years of experience and transferred 100% responsibility to the Austrian broadcaster. Three weeks ago, the final setup for all live broadcasts began including the installation of TV cables up to the summit of the 12er Kogel and to the Medal Plaza in the center of Hinterglemm.
The ORF is working hand in hand with the local World Cup organizing committee (LOC) and "Infront". Martin Krischke describes the collaboration as "absolutely positive, absolutely uncomplicated". "Everyone has known each other for years and Infront has given us complete freedom in all aspects of the production."
“The best thing about my job is that I deal with people. I deal with budgets. I deal with technology. I deal with the environment. I deal with the weather. All of this makes my job really interesting, because all the parts have to mesh together in order for all gears to run smoothly.”
- Martin Krischke, Head of ORF Sports Production:
AI and Virtuality are Making Their Way In
The ORF is presenting three world premieres at these Ski World Championships. All super slow-motion shots during the races are controlled by artificial intelligence (AI). The jump distance at the "Snow Crystal Jump" is projected virtually onto the slope for the first time and integrated into the TV broadcast. Last but not least - similar to Formula 1 in motorsport - audio excerpts from the various team radios are shown live and are automatically translated.
Two Transmission Streams
“ORF Technik” produces the international live feed for "Infront" and, in parallel, a national feed for the home market of Austria, which the ORF uses separately.
In addition, the ORF is also responsible for the 32 commentary booths in the finish stadium. The TV studios of ORF, SRG and ARD/ZDF at the Medal Plaza are managed separately by ORF Vienna.
When the Lights Go Out
In the event of a power outage, a so-called "Uninterruptible Power Supply" has been set up, which would guarantee the continuation of live broadcasts for at least another 30 seconds. If the power were to fail for longer, the responsibility would lie with the LOC, as it would not only affect the TV broadcast.
FACTS & FIGURES
Camera setup men's downhill / February 9, 2025:
