FOX Sports leverages ST 2110 flypacks for distributed World Cup production

This deployment marks a definitive shift toward fully decentralized, software-defined sports broadcasting. By decoupling on-air talent from physical control rooms, FOX has reduced long-term logistical overhead while maintaining the high-latency requirements of elite live events. The move validates ST 2110 as a mature standard capable of handling 104 matches across a three-nation footprint. For the broader ecosystem, this signals a transition away from localized mobile units toward a 'home run' model where centralized hubs manage diverse remote acquisition points. Watch for whether this hub-and-spoke production model becomes the default for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or future NFL Super Bowl windows.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has functioned as a massive proving ground for large-scale IP workflows. Per TVBEurope in June 2026, Host Broadcast Services (HBS) centralized the tournament's core technical operations at an International Broadcast Centre in Dallas, utilizing JPEG XS for low-latency transmission across 16 Host Cities. This centralized model allowed specialists in replay, graphics, and shading to work across multiple matches regardless of the physical venue, mirroring the efficiency gains FOX achieved with its Los Angeles-based remote studio team.

Technologically, FOX's reliance on ST 2110 reflects a significant shift in the industry's backbone. While Haivision’s 2026 Broadcast Transformation Report noted that SDI still anchors roughly 82% of existing broadcast facilities, adoption of the ST 2110 standard rose to 30% this year. The transition is driven by the standard’s ability to separate video, audio, and metadata into independent streams, providing the flexibility needed for the 'be everywhere' strategy Michael Davies described for this tournament. This marks a evolution from the 2018 and 2022 cycles, where production remained largely anchored in single host cities like Moscow or Doha.

Beyond the physical sets, FOX integrated this remote strategy with its new Stage B LED volume in Los Angeles. Per NewscastStudio in October 2025, this facility uses 32 render engines and GhostFrame technology to blend virtual environments with real-time remote feeds. By combining these virtual tools with the BRISK flypacks, the broadcaster has effectively decoupled production quality from the physical constraints of the venue, setting a new benchmark for how major sporting events are managed across continental distances.