B ro a d c a s t i n g

Transcription

1 B ro a d c a s t i n g

2 B r o a d c a s t i n g P l a n n i n g p h a s e LOOC decided early on to establish its own Host Broadcasting Organisation. In order to most effectively fulfil its obligations towards the rights-holding broadcasters, LOOC established a special section responsible for all broadcasting matters. At the beginning, this section was placed under the Director of Information together with Press Services. After a reorganisation in 1992, both the Press Services and Broadcasting sections reported directly to the Director of Operations. The two sections cooperated closely in order to ensure equal treatment for media personnel with regard to accreditation, transportation, accommodation etc. L O O C B r o a d c a s t i n g d e f i n e d i t s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s a s f o l l o w s : 1.To ensure that LOOC fulfilled its responsibilities towards the IOC in all matters relating to broadcasting. 2.To ensure that LOOC fulfilled its obligations towards rightsholding broadcasters. 3. To ensure that important partners such as the Host Broadcasting Organisation, Norwegian Telecom and the construction company responsible for the International Broadcasting Centre at all times fulfilled their functions and obligations. 4.To coordinate all LOOC sections working with broadcasting. The prime task in the first period (1989) was to negotiate a Host Broadcasting Agreement with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). LOOC Broadcasting also took part in the negotiations between LOOC and Norwegian Telecom and was responsible for negotiating an agreement between LOOC and the Ministry of Cultural and Scientific Affairs (later the Directorate of Public Construction and Property) for the construction and management of the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC). Priority was also given to informing other LOOC departments of their responsibilities with respect to World

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4 Broadcasters and NRK ORTO 94. Each department was called in for a meeting in which all contracts were presented and the departments detailed responsibilities were highlighted and discussed. It took time to reach a common understanding of responsibilities and procedures, and LOOC needed to hire a number of experienced NRK specialists to work in LOOC Broadcasting. R e l a t i o n s w i t h w o r l d b r o a d c a s t e r s The rights-holders mentioned below paid a total of roughly USD 350 mill. for transmission rights. They sent representatives to Lillehammer for the Games, and NRK ORTO 94 had employees. The figure for NHK Japan included a number of observers from Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Games. In addition, the Host Broadcasting Organisation for Atlanta 1996 sent 10 observers. Altogether, there were broadcasters present. f EBU, Europe accreditations f CBS, USA f NHK, Japan f CTV, Canada f ABU, Asia f Nine Network, Australia f Televisa, Mexico f TVNZ, New Zealand f KL Chile, Chile and Bolivia f M-Net, South Africa f Bandeirantes, Brazil f Raya Helou, Venezuela f Cablevision, Argentina f Sports International, Puerto Rico f STAR TV, Hong Kong/Asia f TV DEL PACIFICO, Ecuador f TV Cable Bogota, Colombia f RCTI, Indonesia f CVM-TV, Jamaica f Channel 6 & 18, Trinidad & Tobago LOOC Broadcasting was responsible for coordinating all matters relating to the World Broadcasters. The Booking Office received most orders for services and facilities provided by LOOC. Some orders, however, were handled directly by the various departments, e.g. Accommodation, Transportation (car rentals), Ticketing, etc. A LOOC Broadcasting representative served in the Booking Office as a departmental coordinator in order to efficiently process all orders for facilities and services at the venues (commentary positions, unilateral camera positions etc.) and at the IBC (telecom installations, TV-sets and data terminals, furniture etc.) LOOC Broadcasting dealt directly with the

5 World Broadcasters regarding space allotment at the IBC. The OBAC Meetings were a valuable planning forum (OBAC = Olympic Broadcasters Advisory Committee). Six such meetings were held prior to the Games. The first being held in At these meetings it was possible for LOOC, NRK ORTO 94 and Norwegian Telecom to present their plans and get feedback from the rights-holders. In connection with OBAC meetings, unilateral meetings were arranged with the World Broadcasters in order to find out the planned scope of their operations and to discuss details. These meetings cleared up a great number of misunderstandings before the official orders were made. The OBAC Meetings provided better relations to those organisations directly represented, while members of broadcasting unions had only indirect representation. For the 62 teams from EBU, a compromise was found so that the major or most interested organisations could deal directly with the joint Booking Office, while the other members booked through the EBU Operations Group. It was our position that no effort should be spared to ensure optimal working conditions for the broadcasters from the moment they set foot on Norwegian soil. R e l a t i o n s w i t h t h e h o s t b r o a d c a s t i n g o r g a n i s a t i o n The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) is the smallest organisation ever having been entrusted with the task of setting up a Host Broadcasting Organisation for an Olympic Games. It was clear from the beginning that NRK, even if it brought together all the production equipment available in the entire country, could only cover a fraction of the events. In order to ensure sufficient resources, the provision of production assistance was made a condition during the rights negotiations. The result was that CTV, Canada, as a part of the Rights Agreement, provided USD 2 million worth of production assistance to produce Ice Hockey, Figure Skating and Short Track Skating, while EBU delivered production assistance worth USD 9 million, including production responsibility at seven venues, and provided a number of specialists to serve both at venues and at the IBC. The European and Canadian production teams were subcontracted by NRK ORTO 94. This meant that in relation to LOOC, NRK ORTO 94 had the sole responsibility as Host Broadcasting Organisation. The agreement between LOOC and NRK was signed 7 February 1991, and NRK set up a special division (NRK ORTO 94) to carry out the tasks associated with a Host Broadcasting Organisation. The Agreement described the

6 responsibilities of both parties. In addition to paying a cash amount, LOOC provided the following: space, electric power (including Uninterrupted Power Supply UPS) for the production of the international signals, other infrastructure at the venues and at the IBC, accommodation and transportation for ORTO staff, security, camera platforms and access to food services. ORTO produced the international signals, two daily 30-minute highlight summaries, control and distribution of the signal inside the IBC, coordination and preparation of optimal working conditions for World Broadcasters; represented LOOC Broadcasting during the Lillehammer Games at the venues; and had overall control and operation of ENG positions, mixed zones, dedicated interview areas and commentary positions. NRK ORTO 94 was continuously in search of new ways of improving the TV-coverage. A package of special camera systems was used for some sports. The system included cable cameras, rail cameras, minicams and helicopter cameras. Two helicopter Wescam camera systems were used for aerial shots and minicams for Ski jumping, Freestyle moguls and Ice hockey. Cable cameras were also used for Freestyle moguls and for Alpine skiing at Hafjell. Super slow-motion cameras with special VTRs were used in the production of Ski jumping, Ice hockey, Freestyle aerials, Bobsleigh, Luge, Short track, Figure skating and Alpine events. In addition, four panorama cameras for beauty shots were available round-the-clock at the IBC. CIS (Commentators Information System) was an upgraded version of the IBM system introduced at the 1992 Barcelona Games, giving the commentators a wide range of information such as biographies, intermediate and final scores and results, timings and rankings. During the three years of planning and preparations, status meetings were held monthly to review plans and schedules and to solve problems. Areas where we underestimated the work and cost involved were camera platforms, cranes, lifts, transport and security for ORTO installations.

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8 A r e n a s When Lillehammer was awarded the 1994 Olympic Games, only one Olympic venue existed, Hafjell Alpine Centre. This provided an excellent opportunity for custom-making the venues not only to suit the various sports disciplines, but also for broadcasting purposes. This was LOOC Broadcasting s main task when it began its work in Experts from NRK had been involved in the early stages, but only as consultants. The various planning groups had been more focused on construction matters than on the needs of the broadcasters. Given the small staff of LOOC Broadcasting and the high number of planning meetings 11 Sports venues during the same period of time it was vital that NRKORTO 94 also was represented in the planning activities. Following the test events in 1993, LOOC Broadcasting and NRK ORTO 94 evaluated all the venues. A list of problems was compiled totalling 355 points. Some had financial implications. During budget revision #4 in June 1993, financial responsibility was given to the various sections in LOOC. Lighting at the indoor venues was planned according to the IOC Minimum Requirements. Lighting of Mixed Zones at indoor venues and start houses at the outdoor venues had not been included, and this caused some problems. LOOC had given high priority to environmental protection, and this posed additional challenges. At all outdoor venues, we had to consider carefully whether or not it was absolutely necessary to cut trees. Only a minimum of visible cable was allowed, and it took very detailed planning and coordination to have all parties included when decisions were made for culverts and cable ditches. At many venues it was hard to find enough space for the broadcasting compounds. Most of them required square metres.

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10 R i g h t s - h o l d e r s I B C C o m p o u n d Sq.m Sq.m kva Venue Space Cabin Tech. power Birkebeineren Ski Stadium Biathlon Birkebeineren Ski Stadium Cross Country Gjøvik Cavern Hall Hafjell Alpine Centre Håkon Hall Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre Hamar Olympic Hall Bobsleigh and Luge Track, Hunderfossen Kanthaugen Freestyle Arena Kvitfjell Alpine Centre Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena P a r k i n g s p a ce s a t t h e v e n u e s Venue ENG ORTO CBS IBC Total Birkebeineren Ski Stadium Gjøvik Cavern Hall Hafjell Alpine Centre Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre Hamar Olympic Hall Bobsleigh and Luge Track, Hunderfossen Håkon Hall Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena/Kanthaugen Kvitfjell Alpine Centre Kvitfjell Mid station C o m m e n t a t o r p o s i t i o n s Venue Number Birkebeineren Ski Stadium, Biathlon...48 Birkebeineren Ski Stadium, Cross Country...59 Gjøvik Cavern Hall, Ice Hockey...49 Hafjell, Alpine...60 Håkon Hall, Ice Hockey...60 Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre, Figure Skating/Short Track...65 Hamar Olympic Hall, Speed Skating...38 Hunderfossen, Bob and Luge...31 Kanthaugen, Freestyle...30 Kvitfjell, Alpine...57 Lysgårdsbakkene, Ski Jump/Opening/Closing Ceremonies...72 Total

11 C a m e r a P o s i t i o n s NRK ORTO 94 and World Broadcasters (WB) Venue ORTO WB Total Birkebeineren Ski Stadium, Biathlon Birkebeineren Ski Stadium, Cross Country Gjøvik Cavern Hall Hafjell Alpine Centre Håkon Hall Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre Hamar Olympic Hall Bobsleigh and Luge Track, Hunderfossen Kanthaugen Freestyle Arena Kvitfjell Alpine Centre Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena D e d i ca t e d p o s i t i o n s i n m i x e d z o n e s Venue Number Birkebeineren, Biathlon...6 Birkebeineren, Cross Country...4 Gjøvik Cavern Hall... Hafjell Alpine Centre...7 Håkon Hall... Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre...6 Hamar Olympic Hall...2 Bobsleigh and Luge Track, Hunderfossen...1 Kanthaugen Freestyle Arena...2 Kvitfjell Alpine Centre...7 Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena...3 Some specific points for each venue are mentioned below: B i r k e b e i n e r e n S k i S t a d i u m Biathlon (Production Team: YLE, Finland) Two of the main issues at this venue were the placement of the commentator boxes and the timing-point after shooting. The commentator boxes were placed to give the commentators the best view of both shooting, penalty loop and finish. The timing-point after shooting should be as close to the shooting range as possible. The intention was to place the penalty loop alongside the shooting range, which would have provided an early timing point and a better view for the commentators. Due to environmental constraints and fear of wind problems during shooting, this option was discarded. The timing-point was therefore not ideally placed. B i r k e b e i n e r e n S k i S t a d i u m Cross country (Production Team: NRK, Norway) The two main issues at this venue were the placement of the commentator boxes and the building of the TV-loop. All 59 commentator boxes were first designed to be located on one floor. After the test events, it was decided to construct them on two floors. This provided better working conditions and shorter walking distances.

12 The TV-loop was first designed to be located at the southwest part of the venue, but it was moved to the northeast in order to achieve better conditions for TV coverage. The purpose was to make room for more spectators and for them to be able to see the competitors for a longer period of time at the venue. This made the finish more exciting both for the spectators at the venue and the TV-audience and turned out to be a great success. G j ø v i k C a v e r n H a l l Ice hockey (Production Team: CTV, Canada) The decision to build an ice hockey hall inside a mountain posed some interesting challenges during the planning phase. The host broadcaster had only one office and the commentator control room had to be located inside the hall. The compound with technical facilities, both for the host broadcaster and for the rights-holders, was located outside the mountain. H a f j e l l A l p i n e C e n t r e Giant slalom, Slalom (Production Team: FT3, France) This venue was built before Lillehammer was awarded the Olympic Games, and adjustments and improvements had to be made, especially at the finishing area. The idea was to have the competitor come to a stand-still as soon as possible after the finish in order to get close-ups before the next competitor started. Test events revealed that the finishing area was too large, and changes had to be made. The commentator boxes were first planned as a semi-circle on one floor, but due to sunlight problems it was decided to build them on two floors. During the test events, athletes tended to face north as they passed the finishing line away from the cameras. A special scoreboard was therefore installed on the south side, making the athletes turn toward the cameras. H a m a r O l y m p i c A m p h i t h e a t r e Figure skating, Short track skating (Production Team: CTV, Canada) The construction of the commentator positions had to be redone because the original positions, which looked good, did not have enough space for monitors and equipment. The interview area adjacent to Kiss and Cry represented a problem with regard to space. Future organisers will probably also experience this, as Figure Skating is a high-interest sport for rights-holders. H a m a r O l y m p i c H a l l Speed skating (Production Team: NOS, The Netherlands) The interior of this hall was less than ideal for broadcasting Speed skating. After long and hard discussions, it was decided to widen the hall. This enabled us to have a camera on rails along the start/final stretch and a number of cameras close to the 500m start. L i l l e h a m m e r O l y m p i c B o b s l e i g h a n d L u g e T ra c k, H u n d e r f o s s e n Bobsleigh, Luge (Production Team: BBC, England) To improve the bobsleigh and luge broadcasts, very large platforms had to be raised (up to 17m high). The commentator positions were based on the best view for commentators to the scoreboard and to the last part of the track.

13 H å k o n H a l l Ice hockey (Production Team: CTV, Canada) For the first time in Norway, an ice hockey hall was built large enough so that camera positions did not have to be at the very back of the hall. A scoreboard was suddenly installed right in front of one of the camera positions one day, but was soon moved. K a n t h a u g e n F r e e s t y l e A r e n a Freestyle (Production Team: SVT, Sweden) Broadcasting was taken into consideration from the very beginning at these venues. There were very few problems. K v i t f j e l l A l p i n e C e n t r e Downhill, Super G (Production Team: SRG, Switzerland) The commentator boxes were designed on one floor to form a semi-circle. We originally wanted to have them built on two floors, but were told that the ground would not be able to carry the weight. The final result was that all 57 were built on one floor. Even though there was enough lighting to have held competitions at night, it was decided that all competitions would take place during the day. The commentator boxes at Lysgårdsbakkene were to be used both for K 120 and K 90 Ski jumping and for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This required detailed planning. When we received the drawings, everything looked good, but when we took a closer look on the architects computer to see what view the commentators would get, it appeared that the positions would be too low and not give the commentators an optimal view of the events. Adjustments were made and the boxes were furnished with curved glass. Removing the snow and ice from the windows, however, caused some problems. Additional commentator boxes for use during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies were built on the roof of the Venue Media Centre. The highest camera platforms (22m) and the highest cranes (40m and 64m) were located here. L y s g å rd s b a k k e n e S k i J u m p i n g A r e n a Ceremonies, Ski jumping (Production Team: NRK, Norway) The lift which brought competitors to the top was visible in the TV picture. The upward movement appeared disturbing, and it was decided not to use the lift during competitions.

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15 f Dedicated area for World Broadcasters, m 2 f NRK ORTO 94, m 2 f LOOC administration, m 2 S t a m p e s l e t t a Arwards Ceremonies (Production Team: DR, Denmark) The venue for the Arwards Ceremonies was the last to be constructed, and used the same compound as Håkon Hall. No tickets were sold, and the venue was not really fenced in. Extra guards were assigned so as to prevent non-rightsholders from using cameras. M a i n P r e s s C e n tr e ( M P C ) Press Conferences (Production Team: DR, Denmark) The original plans called for interview production to take place at the Olympic Villages and at the IOC Hotel. This did not come about, however, due to the lack of interest shown by the rights-holders. Official IOC/LOOC Press Conferences held at the MPC were transmitted live to the IBC. T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l B r o a d c a s t i n g C e n t r e ( I B C ) General The IBC was located five kilometres north of Lillehammer. It was built on five different levels following a sloping terrain and covered m 2. There was plenty of light in most of the offices, and common facilities and services were located in a centralized service area with a glass ceiling. f Norwegian Telecom, m 2 f Common facilities and services, m 2 f NRK National Broadcaster, m m was provided to broadcasters for their installations. Raw space breakdown: f ABU, 120 m 2 f CBS, m 2 f CTV, m 2 f CH9, 300 m 2 f EBU, m 2 f NHK, 850 m 2 f TELEVISA, 25 m 2 f TVNZ, 60 m 2 f Necessary dividing corridors, m 2 T h e b r o a d c a s t e r s o f f i c e s The broadcasters were offered a list of standard facilities and services. The Joint Booking Office sent out a Description/Rate Card and an Order Form/Questionnaire on 1 June Broadcasters were requested to return the forms no later than 1 October Negotiations with the various broadcasters started in November F u n c t i o n i n g o f t h e v e n u e Norwegian Telecom started operations in March 1992, NRK ORTO 94 in August 1993, CBS by September , BBC and CTV in November 1993.

16 LOOC Broadcasting and NRK ORTO 94 Administration together with the Joint Booking Office moved in 1 September The building was officially opened 1 October, but some work still remained. C o m p u t e r s e r v i c e s A total of 33 persons provided 24-hour computer services at the IBC. This department was also responsible for printing lists from the results system. H u m a n r e s o u r c e s A total of 245 LOOC personnel ran the IBC, headed by LOOC Broadcasting. This included personnel handling Telecom, Data, Information, Accreditation, Security, Material Management, Personnel, Transportation, Medical Services. NRK ORTO 94 had a total of 350 employees working at the centre, and Norwegian Telecom had 220 persons in technical and administrative departments. In addition, personnel from sponsors and suppliers manned the service facilities. I n f o r m a t i o n s e r v i c e s Information services started with a limited staff in mid- September The information services at the IBC were set up with a joint information desk for LOOC, ORTO and the Oppland Region. A mail distribution site with pigeon holes was organised sport by sport and day by day; there were also message boards, Info 94 and CIS terminals. Important information from LOOC and ORTO was distributed on a special Cable-TV information channel broadcasting to the IBC, the MPC and all Media Villages. Important information such as start lists, results lists and daily bulletins from LOOC and ORTO were distributed by messengers who delivered them to the World Broadcasters offices. 12 of in all 30 persons were messengers. The work distributing start and results lists was more extensive than planned. Accordingly, the staff was strengthened by an additional eight persons. A c c r e d i t a t i o n An office for day accreditation and visitor passes operated at an adjacent building 50 metres from the main entrance. Team leaders from the Broadcasting Organisations were provided with a limited number of dedicated visitor passes in order to admit the athletes for interviews without delays. This service started 1 February and closed 27 February at hours. A total of 11 persons manned the office from until The opening date should have been earlier, and the office should have been held open until after the Closing Ceremony. The use of two different types of cards (day accreditations and visitors passes) caused problems and is not recommended. A total of visitors were given access to the building, peaking at 440 on 26 February. F o o d s e r v i c e s The IBC had a cafeteria and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The seating capacity was about 500. There was also a bar with 100 seats and one fast-food counter. The cafeteria was open 24 hours and was based on a buffet system. The restaurant offered seated service for dinner between the hours of The fast-food service was open at night in the first period. Later, the cafeteria also offered this service in order to reduce catering personnel. A total of 200 persons worked with food services at the IBC.

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19 T r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d p a r k i n g The IBC featured a transportation information desk. The service opened 29 January and was manned between the hours of One representative from the car rental company was stationed part-time at the information desk. Personnel from the Transportation section were also responsible for organising the media buses. Dedicated cars for the VIP missions and unforeseen transport problems were shared with the MPC. The IBC should have had its own fleet managed by the Venue Management. The car park was located in several parking lots both inside and outside the security fence. A total of 700 places seemed more than sufficient for the various needs. As a minimum, 600 is recommended. S e c u r i t y a n d a c c e ss Security operations were in place 1 September. During the Games, Team 94 members and the police provided 24-hour surveillance. A total of 150 persons were involved with security at the IBC. B r i e f i n g r o o m The daily OBAC and World Broadcasters meetings were held in an auditorium with a seating capacity of 200. No meetings were attended by more than 100 persons. Simultaneous translations in English and French were provided, and there was one microphone for every two participants. of LOOC equipment rented out to the broadcasters, and the documents for the handing over of equipment on arrival and departure. The group was doubled during the period when all the broadcasters departed from the IBC practically at the same time. S t o r a g e s p a c e Due to the high demand of office space in the building, some storage space had to be located outside the IBC. Much time could have been saved had heated and refrigerated storage areas been available inside the IBC. C o m m e r c i a l a n d g e n e r a l s e r v i c e s The following services were available at the IBC: f Post office f Bank f Kiosk including souvenir sales f Telecommunications service centre f Travel agency f Car rental f Translation services f Cables, connectors and spare parts for radio- and TV equipment f Radio- and TV maintenance The bank, post and telecommunications service centre opened on 10 January. Opening hours during the Games were The kiosk was open 24 hours. M a t e r i a l m a n a g e m e n t A group of five persons with loading and unloading equipment assisted at the arrival and departure of the broadcasters. The Material management was also responsible for the registration