NTT West Japan
NTT West Group*1 provided Mainichi Broadcasting Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Mainichi Broadcasting) with a remote production*4 environment utilizing the IOWN All Photonics Network (hereinafter referred to as IOWN APN)*2*3 for the 105th National High School Rugby Football Tournament held in December 2025.
By consolidating advanced production functions such as AI slow video generation and caption production into a data center, this initiative will contribute to the efficiency of production personnel and the sophistication of video production in the future. This environment was used for technology demonstration aimed at remote operation of high value-added video production functions, which Mainichi Broadcasting is working on in parallel with actual broadcast production.
In the demonstration, the production system was remotely controlled from Mainichi Broadcasting’s headquarters through IOWN APN’s high-capacity, ultra-low-latency, and non-fluctuation network, and it was confirmed that high-quality video production could be performed even in an environment without an OB van. This provided an opportunity to further expand the possibilities and added value of remote production in sports broadcast production.
1. Background
Currently, for video production at event venues, it is common to use broadcast vans equipped with various production equipment. However, with this method, there were limitations in securing a physical location for equipment and personnel, and there were also issues with maintenance costs for broadcast vans, staff dispatch costs, and the lead time required to set up the production environment each time. For this reason, there is a need to improve the efficiency of the entire production workflow and shift to a more advanced and comfortable production environment that utilizes the full range of production functions within broadcast stations.
NTT West Group aims to solve this problem by utilizing the large capacity, low latency, and non-fluctuation characteristics of IOWN APN, which is the main technology of the next-generation communication platform IOWN concept. Furthermore, in addition to improving the efficiency of the production environment, remote operation of high value-added video production functions such as real-time CG synthesis and highly accurate super-slow video generation is required, and the characteristics of IOWN APN have become the foundation that supports this advancement.
2. Overview of initiatives
In this initiative, NTT Smart Connect’s data center, Higashiosaka City Hanazono Rugby Stadium, and Mainichi Broadcasting Corporation headquarters were connected using “All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN” *5, which utilizes IOWN APN technology, and the main production functions that are the core of broadcast production (IP switcher *6, PTP grandmaster *7) were consolidated in the data center. Using this environment, we demonstrated that by remotely controlling the production system at the data center from Mainichi Broadcasting’s headquarters through IOWN APN’s ultra-low latency network, it is possible to produce high-quality programs for terrestrial broadcasting without the need for switchers or mixers to be on-site.
Furthermore, this time, we installed the following two high-value-added video production systems at the data center and verified that they could be operated remotely from Mainichi Broadcasting’s headquarters without any problems.
– AI slow video generation equipment*8: We have consolidated a high-load AI video processing system into a data center and confirmed that it can be remotely operated and used without delay under the stable communication quality of IOWN APN.
– telop production/transmission equipment*9: Under IOWN APN’s low-latency environment, we were able to centralize advanced telop production/transmission systems in a data center and identify issues related to remote operation.
Figure 1: Provided image
■Points of action
・In addition to applying IOWN APN to the production of “rugby content,” we will demonstrate the effectiveness of a next-generation production workflow that combines high added value and efficiency by consolidating these advanced production systems in a data center and operating them from the broadcast station’s sub-station via an ultra-low latency network.
3. Comments regarding this initiative
■Mainichi Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
This is the second demonstration of remote production using IOWN APN, following the previous production of “10,000 People 9th EXPO 2025”. This time, as a further step, we took on a new challenge: remote production of AI slow and sports coders. It was a very meaningful opportunity as we were able to identify technical issues in building a MoIP (Media over IP) environment and fleshing out future equipment plans. In preparation for updating our in-house equipment, we would like to continue to move forward with specific considerations regarding operational and cost aspects.
4. Future developments
NTT West Group will leverage the results of this initiative to further expand the scope of IOWN APN utilization in broadcast production.
Specifically, we will consolidate advanced production resources, such as the AI slow motion and caption production functions demonstrated this time, at NTT Smart Connect’s data center and promote the “standardization of high value-added functions” that anyone can use. This not only improves efficiency by eliminating the need for broadcast vans, but also creates an environment in which high-quality, high-value-added video can always be produced at low cost, regardless of content type or production scale.
Going forward, we will continue to actively apply this technology to new sports genres and events following baseball and rugby, contributing to the DX of the entire broadcasting industry and the creation of attractive video content.
5. Contact information regarding this matter
NTT Business Solutions Corporation
Value Design Department Social Innovation Department Yoshida, Matsunaga, Hirata
Email：[email protected]
NTT Smart Connect Co., Ltd.
Media Business Department Broadcast DX Yasunaga, Kiyokiba, Inoue
Email：[email protected]
*When making inquiries, please check your email address and make sure it is correct.
*1 NTT West Group includes NTT West Corporation, NTT Business Solutions Corporation, and NTT Smart Connect Corporation.
*2 The IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) concept is a concept for a network and information processing infrastructure, including terminals, that optimizes the individual and the whole based on all kinds of information, utilizes innovative technology centered on light, and can provide high-speed, high-capacity communications and vast amounts of computing resources. ・What is the IOWN concept:
*3 APN (All-Photonics Network) refers to the introduction of photonics (light)-based technology in everything from networks to terminals, thereby achieving overwhelmingly low power consumption, high quality, large capacity, and low-latency transmission that is difficult to achieve with current electronics-based technology. What is an all-photonics network?
*4 A method of remotely producing programs by connecting a relay destination such as an event venue and a broadcast station via an IP network, and remotely controlling equipment such as cameras at the relay destination from the broadcast station.
*5 All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN: All-Photonics Connect connects customer-specified locations point-to-point, achieving high-speed, large-capacity, low-latency, and unwavering communication at up to 800 Gbps. What is All-Photonics Connect powered by IOWN:
*6 IP switcher: Uses Panasonic Connect product KAIROS “AT-KC200T” (ST2110 compatible)
*7 PTP Grandmaster: PTP (Precision Time Protocol) is a network protocol for achieving highly accurate time synchronization. PTP grandmaster refers to the device (master clock) that serves as the starting point for supplying highly accurate time information to the entire network in PTP.
*8 AI slow video generation device: Uses XtraMotion manufactured by EVS, a product handled by Photron.
*9 Rugby caption production equipment (sports coder): Uses Foreisha product VWS on ceacaa
*The information contained in the news release is as of the date of announcement. Please be aware that the information at this time may differ from the information as of the announcement date.
