How Project Management Powers Olympic Broadcasting at Milano Cortina 2026

A technical project manager at BBC Sport shares what it really takes to deliver the Winter Olympics 2026 broadcast—and the moment that makes years of planning worth it.

When the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics go live, millions of people around the world see the same moment at the same time: a goal scored, a blade cutting into ice, a medal lifted.

What they don’t see is the broadcast center humming behind the scenes. The teams checking, testing, and preparing for years so that not a single second goes dark. Arran MacKenzie is one of the people responsible for making sure that doesn’t happen.

As a technical project manager for BBC Sport, he helps design and build the on-site broadcast center that powers Olympic coverage and then stays through the Games to ensure everything runs exactly as it should. Speaking to us from Milan, still in his winter gear, he shared what it really takes to deliver the Olympics to millions.

Designing and delivering the Olympic broadcast operations at Milano Cortina 2026

Tell me about your role.

I’m a technical project manager at BBC Sport within the Major Events team. A big part of my role is overseeing the design, build, and delivery of the on‑site broadcast center. That includes coordinating the internal teams, managing stakeholders, and working closely with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), who provide incoming video feeds, data, and international connectivity.

I also manage our internal design teams across sound, post-production, and video. Once the planning is complete, I travel on‑site to oversee the build and remain through the Games to ensure everything runs smoothly.

How far ahead of the Olympics are you planning?

Years in advance. The timelines are often driven by external deadlines from the host broadcaster and the organizing committee. They might say, ‘We need your space requirements by this date,’ and that determines our internal timeline. For example, while delivering the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we were already planning elements of the 2026 Winter Games.

Inside the Olympic broadcast build: A technical project manager’s day-to-day

What does your day-to-day look like pre-Games and during the Games?

Before the Games, it’s a lot of design sessions, planning meetings, and making sure key decisions are made ahead of deadlines. No two days look the same. Some days I’m coordinating people, other days I’m at our storage facility helping pack equipment onto trucks.

Once I arrive on site, I ensure everything is being built to specification—checking HVAC temperatures, room sizes, technical services, and verifying that everything we’ve booked has been handed over correctly.

During the Games, things calm down slightly because so much of my work is in the buildup. I focus on supporting teams, filling gaps, communicating, and making sure everyone has what they need.

What’s your approach when something goes wrong in real time?

When something goes wrong, the first thing I do is step back and assess: What’s the impact? Who needs to know? What can we do immediately and longer‑term?

If a technical issue occurs, like losing a camera feed for example, we would contact the studio, alert senior stakeholders, and work together with engineering teams on‑site and back home to fix it. We test backup services, coordinate options, and follow our rehearsed contingency plans. Everyone stays calm, focused, and professional. Preparation is what keeps things steady.

When the Winter Olympics go live: The moment it all comes together

What’s the moment you realized how high stakes the work is?

The first moment we go live. Watching the multi viewer screens as our feeds go out, realizing millions of people are seeing what I’m seeing—that’s when it really hits. There’s a huge sense of responsibility.

What does the Olympics feel like behind the scenes?

It’s genuinely special. You have people from all around the world working side by side, supporting their teams and sharing the excitement. You’ll find broadcasters from different countries gathered together cheering at the same ice hockey game. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.

What qualities matter most in this role? And what’s an underrated skill?

Organization is crucial. There are so many moving parts and stakeholders that you need a clear structure for everyone to work from.

Another major element is the depth of technical understanding required. The systems we work with are highly complex, and people need to be at the top of their game. You need a solid grasp of signal chains, routing, contribution and distribution of workflows, and how all the pieces interconnects. When something goes wrong, you have to diagnose the issue quickly and understand the technical implications of every decision you make.

An underrated skill is empathy. People are away from their families for long periods, working long days towards the same goal. Taking time to check in, be patient, and support one another makes a massive difference.

How did you fall into project management and what led you to the Olympics?

I started as a studio engineer and gradually became involved in the project side, testing new cameras, assessing equipment, and supporting technical changes.

I had the chance to work as a project engineer on a large outdoor set build for EastEnders, a UK soap opera, which showed me what project management looked like at scale. I loved it. Over time I took on more responsibility, and when my current role came up, I knew immediately that I wanted it.

What I enjoy most is seeing a project come to life, watching something you’ve spent years on become real, knowing how much effort and teamwork went into it.

The challenge that keeps him coming back to Olympic broadcasting

What lights you up about the work you do?

The challenge. These systems are incredibly complex, and technology evolves so fast that we’re constantly planning for what will exist years from now. It keeps the job exciting.

How do you describe your work to your friends?

I’m a project manager in sports broadcasting. It’s fast‑paced, challenging, exciting, and extremely rewarding. It’s a blend of project leadership and high‑level engineering, and that’s what makes it so unique.

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this world?

Show up with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. If people can see that drive, there will always be opportunities for you.

Why strong project management makes moments like this possible

At its core, Olympic broadcasting is a masterclass in project management—planning ahead, adapting quickly, and bringing diverse teams together under pressure. Arran’s work shows how the right structure and mindset can turn complexity into clarity, and how strong project leadership makes moments of global connection possible.

Tags: Project Management | Leadership | Stakeholder Management | Technical Skills | Communications Management

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