Intensive session for Cross-Country TV Experts

Wed, May  20, 2009 - By FIS

A small but highly engaged group of TV experts gathered in Zurich (SUI) this Tuesday and Wednesday to review the draft TV Broadcasters' Manual for Cross-Country Skiing. Ola Fagerheim and Odd Kaldefoss from NRK of Norway, Johan Bernhagen from SVT of Sweden, Tapani Parm from YLE of Finland, Peter Minder from Swiss Television and Nello Isola of Infront Sports&Media joined representatives of FIS and its partners Swiss Timing and Infront Sports&Media for a detailed appraisal of the concepts elaborated in the more than 100-page manual.

Infront TV Consultant Bren Hester coordinated the discussion ranging from the planning process and division of obligations among the parties to differences in TV broadcasting philosophy and the use of graphics. Looking forward to next season, the group discussed specific need for support in order to ensure a constant production quality weekend after weekend during the Olympic season. After incorporation of the feedback over the summer, a Cross-Country Broadcasters' Meeting is planned to take place in the autumn to present the final manual to all broadcasters as well as the FIS World Cup organizing committees.

"It has been a very successful and important step for us to develop our TV production. I must thank all our TV experts and Bren who have done a great job with the new broadcasting manual. I am really looking forward to seeing the final version and to its implementation as from next season," commented Vegard Ulvang, Chairman of the FIS Cross-Country Committee.