Host broadcaster IPA-Prod captured Grand Prix figure skating performances with six Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 cameras, handling live production on the ATEM Constellation 8K switcher.
French broadcaster IPA-Prod was appointed host broadcaster for the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Angers, France. The three day event was held in October 2025 at Angers’ IceParc, which has a professional level 60 × 30m rink plus a training rink of the same size, and brought together elite figure skaters and ice dancers for an international TV audience.
The brief called for a 1080i50 world feed for international distribution, but IPA-Prod's team, led by Technical Director Séraphin Mauvoisin, decided to outdo the brief and exceed expectations. “Given all our production capabilities, we wanted to do more than what was requested in the specifications and acquire in 4K,” Séraphin said. “Our experience in esport productions, where clients are extremely demanding about frame rate, pushed us toward 50p.”
Ursa 6k Super 35 Sensor with Canon 4K Broadcast Zooms
The production centred on the Blackmagic Design ATEM Constellation 8K live production switcher, which has a full 4K infrastructure. For acquisition, IPA-Prod deployed six Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 cameras, chosen largely because of the 6K Super 35 sensor.
“We had upgraded to the URSA Broadcast G2 earlier on because the sensor is more sensitive to light than traditional broadcast cameras, which is a big advantage for 4K production,” said Séraphin. “Its B4 mount lets us use standard broadcast zoom lenses that are easy to source and gives us built in ND filters like a traditional broadcast camera.”
The depth of field is similar to a conventional two thirds inch setup, but the 4K rendering is really impressive. Another factor is the wide availability of rental units from our partners in Paris, which allows us to build up our own stock quickly when needed.”
These cameras were fitted with Canon 4K broadcast zooms, including UJ111x8.2 DIGISUPER lenses on low angle, fixed position cameras, a UJ90x9 DIGISUPER lens for reverse angle coverage. Canon CJ45ex9.7B and CJ15ex4.3B lenses were used for the main and beauty shots, and kiss-and-cry recording at the end of the rink where skaters wait for results to be announced.
Every camera ran on SMPTE fibre with cable runs of approximately 200m back to the OB truck. Signals from the cameras travelled via Blackmagic Camera Fibre Converters to Studio Fibre Converters in a stagebox at the venue, where they were converted to SDI and then sent over multi core fibre using Mini Converter Optical Fibre 12G units. www.blackmagicdesign.com
