1999

Host Broadcast Services (HBS) established with a mandate from FIFA

Created to ensure that the Host Broadcast of the FIFA World Cup™ is the best in the world, carrying forward the experience and innovations of each World Cup to the next, delivering the promise of "continuity and progress"

2002

Dawn of a new era – the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™

The first World Cup of the 21st century; the first in Asia; the first in two countries; the first fully digital coverage – and the first World Cup where the host broadcast of the event was undertaken independently on behalf of FIFA, by Infront’s host broadcast company HBS.

2006

A world without tape - 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™

Another World Cup, another quantum leap in sports broadcasting. High-definition widescreen digital coverage for all matches and a series of innovations for the world’s broadcasters, including the new Media Server which provided broadcasters with access broadcast quality material at will, delivering and sharing media content in a tapeless world.

2006

A giant step forward in new media production

New media requirements were embedded in the host broadcast, with tailored services never offered before. The New Media Content Package - tailor-made, designed for exploitation without extensive editing – was provided to licensees, using HD video-based "Pan & Scan" technology to focus on the core action and deliver "never seen before" picture quality in small formats. Customised production drove sales – this was the most widely covered sports event on　the internet and on mobile phones at the time. More than 100 countries were covered by 50 licensees in "Mobile Telephony" and "World Wide Web".

2006

International recognition at the IBC Awards

Infront and HBS win the prestigious Judges’ Award – one of the IBC’s Innovation Awards presented at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam - for New Media production at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany.

2008

3D – trials begin

3D HD developed into a new big phenomenon. For fans, it became the next best thing to "being there" in the stadium. HBS started a process of 3D trials with live sport in 2008, leading up to 2010.

2010

First FIFA World Cup™ in Africa
The biggest host broadcast ever to take place in Africa and the most content-rich, comprehensively covered World Cup to date, with 40 ENG crews gathering additional material for special production and coverage and edited content for new media.

First-ever 3D coverage of the FIFA World Cup™
In a remarkable “first” for the sports broadcasting industry, fans around the world received 3D images from 25 matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. HBS produced and delivered the 3D HD signal as part of its overall production role as host broadcaster, working closely with FIFA Partner Sony, which manufactures advanced 3D screens and broadcast technology.  

HBS received three renowned and important industry awards in recognition of it’s 3D innovation.