TVN at the FIFA World Cup 2010
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TVN’s coverage has obviously evolved greatly during this long period, and there have been massive changes in the four year since the last FIFA World Cup™. “This is the very first time we have broadcast a World Cup in HD, people have been buying HDTV sets just to receive our coverage of the World Cup,” explained Michael. Behind the camera they have recruited former Chilean international striker Ivan ‘Bam Bam’ Zamorano to their commentary crew. Initially broadcasting 33 matches – including the opening game, semi-finals and Final – the remainder are being broadcast in Chile behind the pay-wall, but such has been the success of the event TVN hope to offer their viewers more. “We have received a lot of requests from our audience to see more matches,” said Michael, “so we are dealing now with that issue to try and broadcast more games.”
On top of that there are plans to offer 3D coverage. “We are going to do tests with today’s Italy-Slovakia match and if the test runs fine we hope to broadcast 3D for the first time in Chile during the knock-out stages. If everything goes smoothly we will broadcast a couple of matches in 3D direct to home viewers and also to cinemas.”
The success of the Chilean national team, in qualifying and at the event, has also impacted TVN’s plans. “As the Chilean team managed to qualify a lot of our coverage has been focused on them,” Michael added. “We hired an OB van that has followed them at their hotel and training camp. We have been breaking records so far, the two Chilean matches took nearly a 90 per cent market share. With the next game, Chile-Spain, we will probably break those records. That is also taking into account that the games have been on in the morning and early afternoon in Chile.”
For Michael the FIFA World Cup™ with TVN has been a new experience. Having previously worked for the Chilean Football Federation, dealing with Media Rights, he has spent the past year working on this project for TVN. “The main issue has been working in full HD for the first time,” he explained. “All our equipment has changed, our bookings, even our work with our presenters – in terms of make-up and making their faces ready for HD! Up to now though it has been a huge success.”