ERT at the FIFA World Cup 2010
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One aspect of South Africa that has helped with Aris’ comfort is the warmth of the people. “The people of South Africa have been so tremendously helpful and friendly,” Aris continues, “I will admit that before coming here I was concerned, however everything has gone so well, we think only about the positives. The friendliness of the people has really helped. When you work long hours, early starts and late finishes, it is good to do so with smiling people around you.”
The sense that the FIFA World Cup™ means so much to the people of South Africa is one explanation. “One gets a real sense of FIFA’s aim here,” Aris adds, “to not only develop football, but to also promote the culture of football, its production and broadcasting.”
ERT have two bases in South Africa, a small operation hub at the IBC, and the majority of its team in Durban, where it was working close to the national team. Three ENG crews, an editor, a producer and two operators work alongside six television reporters and two radio reporters. “Our motto is ‘Let’s go, Mondial!’ We are producing many hours of broadcast,” Aris says, “our television coverage is being shown across three television stations, broadcasting all 64 games. We begin at 14:00 and run until 01:00. We also have our radio programmes, which run from 13:00 until 04:00 the next morning. So far figures have been very good - the Greece v Argentina match had 65% of viewers, and the other two Greek games hit top numbers as well.”
“All tournaments have problems,” Aris concludes, “but the speed and ease with which our problems have been addressed have been the difference. For example the SMCs [Stadium Media Centres] at the stadiums have been perfect. I have been very happy with this tournament.”