Article Overview

2010 FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Gig Free to Air in Europe

Kick-off Celebration Concert

The EBU is proud to announce that 41 Members will broadcast the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Kick-off Celebration Concert. The live concert will be delivered to the widest possible audience the night before the tournament's first match on 10 June at Johannesburg's Orlando Stadium.

Alicia Keys, Shakira, and The Black Eyed Peas are amongst the artists set to perform at this concert marking the start of this year's FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. John Legend, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, BLK JKS, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré, and Vusi Mahlasela will also make an appearance.

"Our audiences love music and sports and Europe’s public broadcasters are committed to giving them the best events. We are delighted to bring this exciting show to Europe, it will be a great start to a colourful FIFA World Cup™" said EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre.

The FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert is executive-produced by Kevin Wall and his company, Control Room, the leading producer of massive global music events.“We’re thrilled the concert will be broadcast on EBU because it brings this once-in-a-lifetime cultural event to audiences across Europe,” said Wall. “The combination of international and African star power, along with special appearances by soccer legends past and present, ensures this is a must-see event.”

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ begins on 11 June when host country South Africa play Mexico in Johannesburg.

advertisment

The following public service broadcasters obtained the rights through the EBU agreement with Control Room

Albania RTV, Armenia PTV, Austria ORF, Azerbaijan LMH, Belgium VRT, Belgium RTBF, Bosnia-Herzegovina BHRT, Bulgaria BNT, Cyprus CBC, Czech Republic CT, Estonia ETV, Finland YLE, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia RTV, Georgia GT, Hungary UMTV, Iceland ISRUV, Ireland RTE, Israel IBA, Kazakhstan (not an EBU Member), Kosovo RTK, Latvia VLT, Lithuania LT, Malta PBS, Moldova TRM, Montenegro RTCG, Poland TVP, Portugal RTP, Romania TVR, Russia RTR, Serbia RTS, Slovakia STV, Slovenia RTVS, Switzerland SSR-SRG, Ukraine NTU

The following public service broadcasters obtained the rights through direct agreement with Control Room

Denmark TV2, Finland YLE, France France Télévisions, Germany ZDF, Italy RAI; Norway NRK, Sweden SVT, United Kingdom BBC

advertisment

For the following territories the concert will be available live on the EBU’s video portal

Belarus, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Netherlands

EBU Online Portal

advertisment

About EBU

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) serves 86 national media organizations from 56 countries in and around Europe. It promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. It brings news, sports, events and music to your home through the Eurovision and Euroradio networks. The EBU develops and shares best practices, media expertise and innovation. It produces and exchanges rich and diverse programmes across all media.

EBU

advertisment