Warner Bros. Discovery has announced two custom-built studios in the Italian Alps that will serve as the broadcast hub for the European coverage of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The media giant’s main facility, called ‘WBD House’, is located in the heart of Nations Village in Cortina d’Ampezzo and comprises a 600 square meter two-storey facility with 217 steel and glass components. The structure incorporates high-resolution external cameras designed to display panoramic views of the Dolomites and nearby Olympic venues, including the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, Tofane Alpine Ski Center and the new Cortina Sliding Center.
The flagship studio will be equipped with 12 cameras, including jibs, drones, RF and Steadicam units, as well as three external XR cameras for virtual set expansion. Ninety staff will support productions targeting audiences in Italy, Germany, Poland and Norway, with additional teams from France, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK also on site.
WBD’s second facility, Livigno’s ‘Snow Dome’, features an impressive 6 meter high dome structure with 95 square meters of space and 360 degree mountain views. Built in cooperation with Livigno’s local organizing committee, the studio will cover freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions.
The Italian studio will complement WBD’s permanent facilities across Europe, including the mixed reality Curve studio in London and production locations in Paris, Milan, Munich, Madrid, Oslo, Stockholm, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Hilversum and Warsaw.
Scott Young, Executive Vice President of WBD Sports Europe, said: “As the home of the European Olympic Games, our goal is to give our viewers a taste of the real Italy through the most immersive production possible.” “Our studio will provide fans with a truly unique viewing experience, maximizing the opportunity for our expert presenters and reporters to get even closer to the action, while telling the stories of our incredible athletes competing.”
WBD has assembled a wide range of Olympic talent, including alpine skiing medalists Tina Mays, Viktoria Lebensburg, Johan Clary and Christian Gedina. six-time Olympic luge gold medalist Natalie Geisenberger; Bobsled champion Kevin Kusuku. Cross-country skiing champion Justina Kowalczyk-Techieri. and ice hockey medalists Håkan Södergren and Mats Sundin. Olympic snowboarder Amy Fuller and former Olympic freestyle skier Elisa Nakabu report from the Livigno studio.
WBD’s first live studio broadcast from Italy was broadcast on February 6, ahead of the opening ceremony in Milan. Olympic competition begins on February 4th and concludes on February 22nd.
HBO Max and Discovery+ will stream all events live, Eurosport will provide pan-European television coverage and TNT Sports will broadcast in the UK and Ireland.
