UEFA - Union of European Football Associ
The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) for UEFA EURO 2008 in Vienna officially opens
Nyon (ots)
UEFA President Michel Platini is opening the IBC, the hub for the distribution of the TV signal to the billions of fans around the world
The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Vienna will be officially opened on 3 June by UEFA President Michel Platini who will switch on the TV video feeds from all the Austrian and Swiss venues in the IBC Master Control Room by a symbolic push of the button - the hub of all incoming and outgoing video and audio signals via Þbre or satellite from venues and all other sites. General Secretary of UEFA David Taylor and over 200 guests including the Austrian Chancellor, Dr Alfred Gusenbauer, major of Vienna Michael Häupl and Friedrich Stickler, President of the Austrian FA, representatives of the media, the broadcast partners and the UEFA commercial partners are expected to attend the opening. Alexandre Fourtoy, CEO of UEFA Media Technologies SA, the 100 per cent subsidiary of UEFA in charge of the Host Broadcast Operations of UEFA EURO 2008 will welcome the guests and present the IBC and the overall Host Broadcast Operations project.
The IBC will serve as the international nerve centre of Host Broadcast Operations, with over 10,000 square metres of production and office space made available to over 30 broadcast partners from around the world with all of the rights-holding broadcasters relying on IBC to serve almost 200 territories. The IBC is situated at the Reed Messe Wien in Vienna.
The opening ceremony wil start at 16:00 CET and includes:
- Welcome address by UEFA Media Technologies SA CEO Alexandre Fourtoy at main entrance of IBC
- The Big Switch-On - video presentations from all eight venues & host cities
- Photo call
- Guided IBC VIP Tour
- Trophy showcase with UEFA President Michel Platini including photocall
For the first time in EURO history, UEFA will produce the television signal for the tournament itself through its subsidiary UEFA Media Technologies SA. As host broadcaster, UEFA Media Technologies will be responsible for the transmission of TV pictures from UEFA EURO 2008. Over 2,000 people will be involved in Host Broadcast Operations at the IBC and the venues, and over sites such as the team training camps during a four-week period.
"The official opening of the IBC is a major milestone for the whole Host Broadcast Operations team. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making this such a successful project. The IBC is the hub for the distribution of the TV signal to the billions of fans around the world, and will provide a wide range of services such as medical services, catering, service booths and internet terminals. We are confident that the IBC will adequately service the requirements of UEFA EURO 2008 broadcast partners," said Alexandre Fourtoy, CEO of UEFA Media Technologies.
From 03 to 29 June 2008, Host Broadcast Operations will be offering guided tours of the IBC. The tours will be held in English and German, other languages may be made available on request. Each tour will last 60 minutes.
Note to editors:
UEFA Media Technologies SA ("UMET") is a fully owned subsidiary of
UEFA and UEFA's arm for digital media. UMET evaluates, implements
and maintains solutions for the web, IT needs and television
production for UEFA and develops know-how in digital media
convergence for the benefit of football fans and the football family.Amongst its activity areas, UMET manages UEFA's websites, uefa.com and euro2008.com, develops and implements UEFA's FAME system (the Football Administration Management Environment, dedicated to the administration of European football) and is in charge of UEFA EURO 2008 host broadcast operations for UEFA. The core UMET team consists of 130 professionals from 18 different countries, structured in Content, TV Production, ICT and Partner Services. It provides multiple synergies dealing with complex projects in converged media for UEFA.
Issued by Fast Web Media on behalf of UEFA Media Technologies
Contact:
Rachel Pearse at Fast Web Media
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E-Mail: Rachel.pearse@fastwebmedia.com