Host Broadcast Service
Host Broadcast Services is a Swiss-based, Infront-owned specialist delivering end-to-end host broadcast production for major international sporting events including seven consecutive FIFA World Cups, Rugby World Cup, UEFA EUROs, and LaLiga, serving sports federations and rights holders globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersZug, Switzerland
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Host Broadcast Service does
Host Broadcast Services (HBS) is a Swiss-headquartered (Zug) specialist provider of host broadcast services for major international sporting events, founded in 1999 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infront Sports & Media within the Wanda Sports Group. The company is appointed by sports federations and rights holders to define, design, and deliver end-to-end broadcast coverage for properties including the FIFA World Cup (seven consecutive tournaments from 2002 through 2026), Rugby World Cup, UEFA European Championships, LaLiga, Copa America, Roland Garros, and US Open, accumulating 300+ events across six continents since 2002. HBS operates from six legal entities and offices in Switzerland, France, the UK, US, Canada, and Spain, employing 501–1,000 staff as part of the broader Infront group.
HBS's technology stack spans HD, 3D, VR, 360°, UHD, 4K, 5G, IP-based switching systems, container-based outside broadcast operations, cloud production workflows via SRT, and AI-powered video stabilization. Service architecture is modular: Project Management, Production, Engineering, Venue Management, Broadcast Structures, Booking, and Information serve as the core delivery platform, supplemented by digital content arm skroller and the Broadcast Academy training program (3,000+ professionals trained across 20+ countries). The 50-50 IGBS joint venture with IMG Media, established in 2004, extends HBS's reach into multi-sport games such as the Asian Games.
Revenue is generated through managed services and professional services contracts negotiated directly with federations and organizing committees, with quote-based pricing tied to event scope. Five-year commitments (e.g., LaLiga from 2025-26) anchor recurring revenue, while FIFA World Cup cycles every four years drive event-driven spikes. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales to a small number of large federation clients; the customer base is concentrated but sticky due to multi-decade relationships and the capital-intensive nature of building IBCs, broadcast compounds averaging 4,400 m², and orchestrating 25+ nationalities per event.
Host Broadcast Service firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Host Broadcast Service
- Legal name
- HBS France
- Website
- https://hbs.tv
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Host Broadcast Services is a Swiss-based, Infront-owned specialist delivering end-to-end host broadcast production for major international sporting events including seven consecutive FIFA World Cups, Rugby World Cup, UEFA EUROs, and LaLiga, serving sports federations and rights holders globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Host Broadcast Service industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Broadcasting Services
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Spectator Sports (71121)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports Event Production & Broadcast Operations (In-venue, Jumbotron, live feed) (MPAGAMAI)
Keywords
Where Host Broadcast Service is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zug
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Host Broadcast Service business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Host Broadcasting Services: HBS is appointed as host broadcaster by sports federations and organizing committees. The company defines, designs, and delivers complete broadcast coverage of major sporting events, providing turn-key solutions or specific services as required. Revenue comes from service contracts with federations like FIFA, World Rugby, LaLiga, and other sporting bodies.
- Media Production & Distribution: Five-year contract with LaLiga for media production and distribution of Spain's Primera and Segunda Division matches, operated through a joint venture with NVP.
- Training & Education: Digital content production training courses delivered through partnerships with organizations like Rugby Players Association (RPA) and Broadcast Academy, training over 3,000 TV professionals in more than 20 countries.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Host Broadcast Service product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HBS defines, designs, and delivers complete turn-key host broadcast coverage for major international sporting events on behalf of sports federations, organizing committees, and rights holders. Its offering spans eight service pillars — Project Management, Production, Engineering, Digital, Venue Management, Broadcast Structures, Booking, and Information — covering everything from IBC build-out, multi-camera live production, IP-based switching, commentary units, rights-holder servicing, and broadcast information to digital content and training.
Product overview
Host Broadcast Services (HBS) is an independent host broadcast specialist offering a comprehensive suite of services for major international sporting events. The company operates a platform-plus-modules architecture comprising core broadcast production services (Production, Engineering, Project Management) supported by specialized operational services (Venue Management, Broadcast Structures, Booking, Information). Digital services are delivered through the skroller sub-brand, while education and training are provided via the Broadcast Academy. The company also holds a 50-50 joint venture, International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS), with IMG Media for multi-sport games coverage. HBS serves as the designated host broadcaster for FIFA World Cup events and other prestigious properties including UEFA EUROs, Rugby World Cup, Copa America, La Liga, French Open, and US Open.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- skroller: HBS digital content arm focused on digital content creation, social media content production, and creator economy training for athletes
- IGBS (International Games Broadcast Services)
- Broadcast Academy
Products and services
- Project Management Core HBS service pillar: end-to-end project management for host broadcast events, including scope definition, planning, operational coordination, budget management, and post-event debrief. Targets international sports federations and organizing committees.
- Production Live and non-live sports broadcast production service including multi-camera coverage, studio shows, promos, features, highlight clips, and magazine programmes, delivered for global sports rights holders.
- Engineering Broadcast engineering service covering cable infrastructure, system design, container-based operations, IP-based switching, audio production, and commentary unit distribution for major events.
- Digital Digital services for sporting events including virtual reality experiences, multi-angle apps, social media content, platform and app development, and technical delivery of digital offerings for global audiences.
- Venue Management On-site venue broadcast management including advance site visits, schematic drawings, compound designs, logistics coordination, and technical installation for competition venues.
- Broadcast Structures Design and construction of International Broadcast Centres (IBC), broadcast compounds, and outside presentation studios for rights-holding broadcasters at major events.
- Booking Rights holder servicing, broadcast service bookings, rate card management, and broadcast liaison coordination for unilateral broadcaster operations at events.
- Information Broadcast information management including documentation generation, web platform management, rights holder communication, and post-event reporting.
- International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS) 50-50 joint venture between HBS and IMG Media serving as host broadcaster for major multi-sport games such as the Asian Games, originally established in 2004 as Doha Asian Games Broadcast Services (DAGBS).
- skroller HBS's digital content arm specialising in social media content creation, digital content production training programmes for athletes and sports professionals, and multi-platform distribution for major sporting events.
- Broadcast Academy Educational initiative established by HBS to share broadcasting knowledge and improve international sports broadcasting standards, having trained more than 3,000 TV professionals in over 20 countries.
Quantifiable outcome
- 857 million viewers for Rugby World Cup Japan 2019
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Host Broadcast Service
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Host Broadcast Service technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Host Broadcast Service partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Project BcoreHBS appointed as Official Host Broadcaster for Project B's inaugural global basketball circuit launching in 2027 under a multi-year agreement. HBS will manage all centralized broadcast production, technical operations, live game production, arena infrastructure, multi-camera operations, and global feed management for the YouTube-streamed competition.
- VirgincoreHBS partnered with Virgin to launch 'The Plait Room', a digital content series on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram showcasing women's rugby. The partnership brings Virgin's disruptive energy to women's rugby content, developed from HBS's initial concept with Loughborough Lightning.
- See You At Jeanie'sminorHBS worked with women sport consultancy See You At Jeanie's for brand consultancy and creative support on The Plait Room content series.
- NVPcoreHBS and NVP formed a joint venture based in Spain to deliver media production and distribution for LaLiga's Primera and Segunda Division matches for five years from 2025-26 season. The partnership combines HBS's global broadcast expertise with NVP's regional knowledge.
- LaLigacoreHBS and NVP jointly appointed by LaLiga for media production and distribution of Spain's top two football divisions. Five-year contract from 2025-26 season.
- Rugby Players Association (RPA)minorHBS and RPA joined forces to provide digital content production training courses for women's rugby players. Program includes webinars and seminars at clubs across England, led by HBS's digital content arm skroller, to upskill players in social media and content creation.
- Loughborough LightningminorBuilding on work HBS already undertook with Loughborough Lightning squad, the RPA partnership was developed from this initial content creation collaboration.
- IMG MediacoreIGBS (International Games Broadcast Services) is a 50-50 joint venture between HBS and IMG Media established in September 2004. Originally formed for the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006, IGBS continues to deliver host broadcast services for major multi-sport games.
- Infront Sports & MediacoreHBS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infront Sports & Media, headquartered in Switzerland. Infront offers sports federations everything from digital solutions to media rights distribution, sponsorship, and production. HBS is part of the Wanda Sports Group.
Scale indicators25 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Host Broadcast Service competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gravity Media: Global broadcast services and outside broadcast provider (formerly Euro Media Group / EMG), serving major sports federations, leagues, and rights holders with facilities and crew. Direct competitor for sports event host-broadcast mandates.
- NEP Group: World's largest outside broadcast and studio facilities provider, serving major sports events (Olympics, NFL, Premier League, World Cup-level productions) globally. Closest direct competitor to HBS at the scale of major-event hosted broadcast.
- Gearhouse Broadcast: Global broadcast facilities and OB services provider delivering event production, systems integration, and outside broadcast for major international sports and live events.
- Eurovision Services: Commercial arm of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) acting as host broadcaster for major events including Olympic Games, Eurovision, and pan-European sports. Operates the same 'host broadcast' function as HBS across sport and live events.
- IMG (Endeavor): Global sports content, media rights, and production company; HBS's 50-50 joint venture partner in IGBS (International Games Broadcast Services) for multi-sport games. Directly comparable in scope, customer set, and sports-broadcast production capabilities.
- Presteigne Charter: UK-based broadcast hire, systems integration, and live event production services company serving sports federations and broadcasters worldwide — comparable technical services scope.
- Timeline Television: UK-based provider of outside broadcast and production facilities for major sports events, with deep relationships across UK and European federations and rights holders.
- CTV Outside Broadcast: Long-established UK outside broadcast provider serving Premier League football, international football and other live sports productions with mobile units and crew.
- Whisper Films: UK sports content production specialist producing live coverage, documentaries, and digital content for premier sports properties; comparable sports-broadcast production service offering for federations and leagues.
- Telegenic: UK-based outside broadcast and live event production services provider (part of the Gravity Media group) — directly comparable OB and live sports production stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Host Broadcast Service social profiles
Digital presenceHost Broadcast Service financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Host Broadcast Service leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Host Broadcast Service subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Host Broadcast Service funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Host Broadcast Service M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Host Broadcast Service
What does Host Broadcast Service do?
HBS defines, designs, and delivers complete turn-key host broadcast coverage for major international sporting events on behalf of sports federations, organizing committees, and rights holders. Its offering spans eight service pillars — Project Management, Production, Engineering, Digital, Venue Management, Broadcast Structures, Booking, and Information — covering everything from IBC build-out, multi-camera live production, IP-based switching, commentary units, rights-holder servicing, and broadcast information to digital content and training.
Is Host Broadcast Service a public or private company?
Host Broadcast Service is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Host Broadcast Service founded?
Host Broadcast Service was founded in 1999. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Host Broadcast Service based?
Host Broadcast Service is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Host Broadcast Service make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Host Broadcasting Services are the primary driver. The others are media Production & Distribution and training & Education.
Who are Host Broadcast Service's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gravity Media, NEP Group, Gearhouse Broadcast, Eurovision Services, IMG (Endeavor), Presteigne Charter, Timeline Television, CTV Outside Broadcast, Whisper Films and Telegenic.
Does Host Broadcast Service have an API?
No public API is recorded for Host Broadcast Service.
What industry is Host Broadcast Service in?
Host Broadcast Service's product category is Sports Broadcasting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAMAI, Sports Event Production & Broadcast Operations (In-venue, Jumbotron, live feed). Its NAICS code is 51612 and its SIC code is 4833.