Host Broadcaster for Skoda Tour de Luxembourg 2023

The event unfolded as follows:

• Stage 1: Luxembourg city (Abbaye de Neumunster) – Luxembourg city (Kirchberg) (156.4 km)
• Stage 2: Monforf-les-Bains – Mamer (183.9 km)
• Stage 3: Mertert – Vianden (168.4 km)
• Stage 4: Petange – Petange (23.9 km)
• Stage 5: Mersch – Luxembourg city (177.2 km)

Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE), the selected host broadcaster for the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg 2023, facilitated the live coverage of the event using their expertise and technology. BCE played a pivotal role in producing and transmitting the live coverage of the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg, as well as providing live streaming services.

By leveraging BCE’s mutualized playout services, cycling enthusiasts worldwide had the chance to experience the race in real-time. The Skoda Tour de Luxembourg was broadcast live over IP from BCE’s broadcasting center and made available on renowned local channels and international sports networks, such as RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg, Eurosport, and L’Équipe. Additionally, cycling fans had the opportunity to enjoy the high-definition (HD) live streaming of the Tour on RTL.lu.

One of the standout moments of this year’s Skoda Tour de Luxembourg was Stage 3, which took place in the town of Vianden, culminating at the historic Vianden Castle. This stage presented a unique technical challenge, as the ancient castle lacked connectivity, making communications difficult.

To overcome these challenges, BCE ensured the cabling of the entire castle to connect all the cameras as well as deployed high antennas to receive transmissions from a circling plane. Feeds from motorbike teams and helicopters were relayed to the plane and then sent from the plane to the antenna.

BCE meticulously managed the live program’s production from its outside broadcast van (OBVan) and subsequently transmitted it via satellite news gathering (SNG) to the playout center for distribution across Eurosport, L’Équipe, and RTL Luxembourg. Additionally, the event organizers had to contend with limited space within the castle premises to welcome finishing cyclists and ensure a smooth transition between arriving and departing cyclists.

The Skoda Tour de Luxembourg 2023 achieved its success through the exceptional collaboration among production, streaming, and broadcast teams. This event remains a prominent sporting event, highlighting the natural scenery of Luxembourg and the unwavering commitment of cyclists.

For more information about BCE’s solutions for sports, please visit: https://www.bce.lu/sports/

“Technology, solutions, and services provided by BCE were instrumental in the success of this event. However, it’s the exceptional dedication and teamwork of our talented professionals and partners that truly brought this event to life. Their expertise and tireless efforts played a pivotal role in showcasing the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg 2023 on a global stage.” Concludes Xavier Thillen, Head of Production and Digital Media Operations at BCE