FOX Sports uses ST 2110-30 and SRT for World Cup audio

This move signals a shift toward treating uncompressed audio and video as high-density data packets that can be independently routed and synchronized over long distances. By wrapping ST 2110 standards in SRT, FOX Sports addresses the persistent challenge of clock synchronization in asynchronous IP environments across a continent-wide event. This architecture allows for massive scale—handling hundreds of IFB programs and remote feeds—without the physical footprint of traditional SDI infrastructure. Watch for other major rights holders to adopt similar 'wrapped' transport models as they transition from hardware-heavy production to software-defined IP environments for the 104-match tournament schedule.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup serves as a primary proving ground for decentralized broadcast production on an unprecedented scale. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries, Host Broadcast Services (HBS) and FIFA have centralized core functions such as replay, graphics, and camera shading at the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Dallas. Per TV Technology (June 2026), HBS is delivering all matches in 1080p HDR, providing pristine source signals that regional rights holders like FOX Sports must then process and distribute to their respective domestic audiences.

To manage this logistical load, FOX Sports developed the Broadcast Remote IP Studio Kit (BRISK), a portable system of six compact server racks designed for rapid deployment. According to company reports from June 2026, these units allow production teams to establish a stadium presence with minimal on-site crew, linking back to the primary Los Angeles hub via high-capacity IP feeds. This Home Run Production (HRP) model also utilizes GhostFrame technology in Stage B, enabling real-time graphics rendering via Unreal Engine for a consistent visual experience across the expanded 104-match tournament.

Technological partnerships are central to this scale, with Appear providing the X20 platform for both JPEG XS and HEVC ultra-low latency encoding. This hardware-agnostic approach to compression allows FOX to adjust transport protocols based on specific venue bandwidth availability. Industry observers noted in Broadband TV News (April 2026) that these systems are intended for long-term redeployment across FOX’s wider portfolio, including NFL and MLB coverage, establishing a standardized IP-production blueprint that moves beyond the unique demands of a single global tournament.