Netflix NFL Melbourne production uses 2.4 Tb/s uplink and 54 cameras

This operation demonstrates that Netflix can execute high-tier sports broadcasts at a scale previously reserved for legacy linear networks during the postseason. By leveraging NBC Sports' REMI expertise and NEP's IP infrastructure, Netflix is effectively bypassing the traditional learning curve of live sports logistics to compete for premium global rights. The reliance on a 2.4 Tb/s uplink and complex ST 2110 networking signals a shift toward heavy-duty cloud and IP workflows for international events that were once tethered to local satellite trucks. Watch for how Netflix applies this 'NFL Playoffs scale' template to future international fixtures as it seeks to justify rising sports rights investments.

NEP has been steadily building its IP production infrastructure portfolio ahead of the Netflix Melbourne event. In early 2026, NEP announced the expansion of its TFC IP Fly Away Kit fleet to support international REMI productions across multiple continents, positioning the company as a key infrastructure partner for streamers entering live sports. The TFC IP kits, which use SMPTE ST 2110 signaling, allow production teams to transport uncompressed video over standard IP networks rather than relying on dedicated satellite or fiber circuits. This approach was central to the Melbourne operation, where the 2.4 Tb/s uplink carried 54 camera feeds back to NBC Sports' production hub in the United States.

Netflix's push into live sports has accelerated since the company secured its first NFL rights deal. In May 2025, Netflix announced a three-year agreement to stream at least two NFL games per season beginning with the 2025 campaign, marking the streamer's most significant traditional sports investment to date. The deal followed Netflix's successful live events including the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match in November 2024, which drew over 65 million concurrent viewers and tested the platform's live delivery capacity. NBC Sports, meanwhile, has been a leader in REMI production for the NFL, having produced more than 40 REMI-based NFL broadcasts during the 2024 season, giving Netflix access to a proven workflow rather than building one from scratch.

The technical stack used in Melbourne reflects broader industry movement toward JPEG XS and HEVC for low-latency contribution. LiveU demonstrated its LU800 encoder supporting JPEG XS compression for broadcast-quality contribution over bonded cellular and IP networks at IBC 2025, showing that sub-frame latency is achievable over public internet paths. The JPEG XS standard, developed by ISO/IEC, targets visually lossless compression at ratios between 2:1 and 10:1, making it suitable for the kind of multi-camera REMI workflows that require minimal delay between venue and production center. Software-defined broadcast infrastructure is becoming a key focus for major events, while Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications provider, provided dedicated fiber and IP connectivity for the Melbourne Cricket Ground venue during the event, underscoring the role of local carrier partnerships in enabling high-bandwidth international productions.