STVR Upgraded Sports Broadcast Studio with an LED Wall from Leyard Europe for the 2026 Winter Olympics

Project Overview:

Customer: STVR (Slovenská televízia a rozhlas)
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Application: Broadcast
AV Integrator: CITY LIGHT SLOVAKIA s.r.o.
Display Solution: Planar DirectLight Slim Series Curved LED Video Wall with 1.2mm pixel pitch

As Slovakia's public-service broadcaster, STVR (Slovenská televízia a rozhlas) plays a vital role in delivering television, radio, news and cultural programming to audiences across the country. Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the broadcaster embarked on a major upgrade of its flagship sports studio in Bratislava, replacing ageing display technology with a state-of-the-art LED video wall to create a modern, future-ready broadcast environment.

Working alongside integration partner City Light Slovakia s.r.o., STVR selected the Planar DirectLight Slim Series to deliver the image quality, reliability and design flexibility required for live television production. Despite a challenging procurement process - that left just three weeks for delivery and installation - the project was completed on schedule, ensuring the studio was ready in time for the opening ceremony on 6 February 2026.

The Challenge - Racing Against the Olympic Deadline

STVR's existing studio featured an older Leyard LED display alongside a second ageing display from another manufacturer. As the broadcaster prepared for extensive Winter Olympics coverage, it recognised the need to modernise the studio with the latest LED technology to enhance both visual performance and operational reliability.

While the public tender process successfully identified the right solution, it also significantly compressed the project timeline. Once the tender was complete, the new display had to be delivered, installed, tested and commissioned within just three weeks - without compromising the quality expected from a live broadcast environment.

Beyond the demanding schedule, the solution needed to deliver outstanding on-camera performance, provide built-in resilience for live productions and support the studio's vision for a seamless curved display.

The Solution - Broadcast Performance Meets Local Manufacturing

To meet these requirements, STVR selected the DirectLight Slim Series with a 1.2mm pixel pitch in a 21x3 configuration, creating a seamless LED video wall measuring 6,350 x 2,041mm.

Several factors influenced the decision. Manufactured at Leyard Europe's production facility in Slovakia, the DirectLight Slim Series enabled exceptionally short lead times at a time when every day mattered. The solution also offered the broadcast-grade performance required for television production, delivering excellent on-camera image quality for cameras while incorporating power and signal redundancy to maximise reliability during live broadcasts. Designed for mission-critical applications and 24/7 operation, the display provided the resilience required for high-profile live sports coverage.

Its slim cabinet dimensions (302.4 x 680.4mm) and narrow cabinet architecture also allowed the team to create a smooth curved LED wall that would have been difficult to achieve using larger cabinet formats. The curved design gives STVR greater creative flexibility for studio production while providing an engaging visual backdrop for sports programming and live broadcasts.

The Installation – Delivering in Just Three Weeks

Working in close collaboration, STVR, City Light Slovakia and Leyard Europe completed the project within the tight three-week window.

From manufacturing and delivery through to installation, testing and commissioning, every stage of the project was carefully coordinated to ensure the studio would be operational before Olympic coverage began.

The DirectLight Slim Series' front-serviceable design further simplified deployment and future maintenance requirements, helping the team maximise available studio space while ensuring long-term serviceability.

The combination of local manufacturing, strong project management and close collaboration enabled the installation to be completed on time, despite the significant pressure created by the procurement timeline.

“This project demonstrated what can be achieved through close collaboration. Preparing for an event like the Winter Olympics meant there was no room for compromise. Every stage of the installation was carefully planned, allowing us to deliver a high-quality, high performance solution that was ready for live broadcasting ahead of the Winter Olympics - all delivered and installed within an extremely challenging timeframe.”

Marek Plančár
CEO, CITY LIGHT SLOVAKIA s.r.o.

The Results – Ready for the World Stage

The completed installation has transformed STVR's sports studio into a modern broadcast environment, providing a striking visual backdrop for Winter Olympics coverage. Today, the studio continues to serve as STVR's primary sports television studio, demonstrating the long-term value and reliability of the investment beyond the Games.

The new LED video wall delivers outstanding on-camera image quality while providing the resilience required for mission-critical broadcasting through integrated power and signal redundancy. Its curved design also enhances the studio's visual impact, creating a more immersive experience for viewers.

Beyond supporting one of the broadcaster's most significant sporting events, the investment has future-proofed the studio with a reliable, high-performance display platform that continues to support STVR's day-to-day sports broadcasting while remaining capable of supporting news and other live programming for years to come.

“Broadcasters need technology that not only looks exceptional on camera but can also be relied upon in demanding live environments. This project with STVR demonstrates how local manufacturing, proven broadcast performance and strong collaboration can help customers deliver ambitious projects within exceptionally tight timescales.”

Jana Janošová
Territory Head Central Europe & Balkans, Leyard Europe