CMG broadcast vehicles arrive in Italy for 2026 Winter Olympics coverage

China

CMG broadcast vehicles arrive in Italy for 2026 Winter Olympics coverage

2026-01-05 08:57 Last Updated At：15:57

China Media Group's (CMG) "China Red" 4K/8K ultra-high-definition broadcast vehicle fleet arrived at the Port of Livorno, Italy on Sunday ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Following the successful fulfillment of the broadcast mission of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the "China Red" fleet has once again set out overseas and will undertake the production of 8K international public signals for the opening and closing ceremonies and multiple events of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games scheduled for February.

The broadcast vehicles were transported aboard the carrier Yuan Hai Kou, which departed from the Taicang Port in east China's Jiangsu Province on December 1, 2025.

The carrier sailed through the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, making a brief stopover at the Port of Piraeus in Greece on December 26 before proceeding to Italy.

Throughout the entire journey, the CMG ultra-high-definition broadcast vehicles were provided with comprehensive security and logistical support.

The "China Red" broadcast fleet consists of two 4K/8K ultra-high-definition broadcast vans and two supporting vehicles.

The 4K/8K broadcast vans are independently designed and integrated by the CMG -- China's flagship broadcaster. Each vehicle is 17 meters long, accommodates up to 34 workstations across five operational areas, and is capable of processing up to 80 channels of 4K signals, representing the cutting edge of international ultra-high-definition live production technology.

After completing customs clearance, the fleet will leave Livorno for Milan and is scheduled to officially move into the San Siro Stadium on January 13, where it will begin preliminary preparations for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic broadcast operations.

The 2026 Winter Games will open on February 6, 2026, at Milan's San Siro Olympic Stadium, with around 2,900 athletes expected to take part. It will be Italy's first Winter Olympics in 20 years since Turin 2006, and 70 years after Cortina d'Ampezzo hosted the 1956 edition.

Russia, Ukraine escalate drone attacks on front lines

Drone attacks have escalated on the front lines in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia saying on Monday that its air defense systems had intercepted 356 fixed-wing drones over the past 24 hours, while Ukraine said on the same day that Russian forces had launched 165 drones and nine missiles at its territory beginning at 18:00 local time on Sunday.

According to a battlefield report from the Russian Defense Ministry issued on Monday, Russian forces carried out strikes on 148 Ukrainian targets over the past day. These included military-industrial facilities, long-range drone production and assembly workshops, and training centers for drone operators.

The ministry said that between 13:00 and 20:00 local time on Sunday, several regions across Russia were targeted by 253 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones. Several airports, including those in Moscow, temporarily imposed movement restrictions due to threats from drones.

Ukraine's Air Force said on Monday that Russia had launched strikes on Ukraine with nine missiles and 165 drones since 18:00 on Sunday. As of 08:00 Monday, Ukraine had shot down or suppressed 137 drones launched by Russia, and confirmed that 10 locations were hit by 26 drones and missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that "This week alone, Russia launched more than 1,070 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,000 attack drones, and six missiles against Ukraine."