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  1. Summary of the key events up to and including the Opening Match
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VIP Crowd Gathers to Open IBC for Business

posted:

03/06/2010

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, HBS CEO Francis Tellier and Director of FIFA TV Niclas Ericson switch the MCR on

The International Broadcast Centre for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was officially opened yesterday morning by a number of dignitaries including FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, Chairman of the FIFA Organising Committee Issa Hayatou, Director of FIFA TV Niclas Ericson and HBS CEO Francis Tellier. The ceremony featured an official ribbon-cutting in the African Plaza, a visit to the African Union of Broadcasters' (AUB) unilateral premises and the switching-on of the Master Control Room (MCR).

President Blatter began his remarks by saying that today "is a great day indeed for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa." He discussed the evolution of the "love story" between FIFA and broadcasters as well as the progression in the quality of IBCs over the years, before pointing out that this was the fifth IBC he inaugurated in the company of Francis Tellier, following Paris in 1998, Yokohama and Seoul in 2002 and Munich in 2006. President Blatter then stated how much "we appreciate the professional work of Host Broadcast Services," and expressed FIFA’s goal of reaching record audience figures, praising the energy of South Africa as the final preparations come together. Francis Tellier returned the compliment, noting what a "great honour" it is "to work with FIFA TV all these years" to implement their vision of the "4 screens policy".

With the MCR switched on and the IBC fully operational, President Blatter then wished all broadcasters the best of luck for their operations throughout the upcoming tournament.

Summary of the key events up to and including the Opening Match

3 June
• 2nd MRL Briefing, 11:30.
• For SmartJog/File Transfer users, a dedicated training session will be or­ganised between 14:00-16:00 at the AUB/CFI premises, located near the African Plaza in Hall 6 of the IBC. The meeting point for attendees is in front of the IBC BIO. Users must bring their own injection device.

7 June
• 3rd MRL Briefing, 11:30.
• Broadcast Information Office (BIO) at JSC opens.

8 June
• Warm-up match, JSC 16:00. Full testing and demonstration of the FIFA World Cup™ Production Plan - multilateral cameras and feeds. Match between U-17 sides, with two 20-minute halves. Also an opportunity for MRLs to book some (free of charge) unilateral services and facilities.

9 June
• MRL Briefings become daily. First Daily Media Briefing, 11:00. Both avail­able on CATV within the IBC.
• Full dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony at 14:10. Open to MRLs who are interested in attending.

10 June
• FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert, at the Orlando Sta­dium (Soweto).

11 June
• Match 1 (RSA v MEX, JSC, 16:00) & Match 2 (URU v FRA, CPT, 20:30).
• The Opening Ceremony, ahead of Match 1, will take place at 14:10 and last for approx. 25 minutes.

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HBS 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™

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1st MRL Meeting with Jörg Sander, Francis Tellier and Niclas Ericson on 31st May