IBC has announced it will award its highest honour, the International Honour for Excellence, to Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) at next month’s IBC2026.
The award recognises the organisation’s “decades of innovation and far-reaching impact on broadcasting,” said IBC.
Through its work to develop and promote innovations including ultra-high-definition production, immersive audio, artificial intelligence and next-generation storytelling, OBS has played a key role in transforming the ways in which global audiences experience the Olympic Games, added IBC.
Yiannis Exarchos, OBS chief executive officer, said: “We are truly honoured to receive this award and sincerely thank IBC for this recognition. This distinction is a tribute to the passion, expertise and dedication of everyone at Olympic Broadcasting Services, whose work enables us to bring the Olympic Games to audiences around the world. It recognises our team’s commitment to innovation, excellence and service to the Olympic Movement, as we continually seek new ways to enhance the coverage and audience experience of the Games. We are especially proud to receive this award from IBC, whose role in bringing together the international broadcast community is so highly regarded.”
Past recipients of the award include film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, director Mstyslav Chernov, the BBC, Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, and Andy Serkis.
IBC has also announced i2 media research as the winner of its Best Technical Paper for 2026, in recognition of its work to ease access to internet-delivered TV for older viewers.
The presentations will be made at the IBC Innovation Awards on Sunday 13 September at the RAI Amsterdam.
