Geneva, 7
April 2009 - Today
the organizers* of the Eurovision TV Summit – the largest
European gathering of movers and shakers in public service
TV- announced that Sir Terry Wogan will be
one of the event’s keynote speakers. The summit will bring
together 600 decision-makers in European public service TV
to exchange ideas on common topics in public service broadcasting.
“It is an honour to welcome Sir
Terry Wogan to our summit. After 35 tremendous years as the
UK’s Eurovision Song Contest commentator, we look forward
to hearing about his experiences, and to a lively debate."
said Bjørn Erichsen, Director of Eurovision
TV.
The highlight of the summit is the
Common Focus Day on Wednesday 6 May with the theme “The Boundaries
of Laughter”. Europe is diverse and rich in its many
traditions and differences in humour. But can humour travel?
The session will discuss how to encourage and develop funny
TV programmes that can travel Europe. This day is open to
the media and features Europe’s most distinguished personalities
in the audiovisual business. Sir Terry will provide the opening
keynote address at this event.
The Proud to Present session
will show a selection of the most brilliant programmes in
television of 2008, across different television genres. There
will be a host of speakers introducing the best programmes
including Sir David Attenborough, a world
pioneer in natural history programme making who will introduce
“Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life”.
The Common Focus Day will end with a live
performance of the successful West End musical: Eurobeat,
a hilarious parody of the Eurovision Song Contest. An all-embracing
multicultural experience hailed as the world’s first interactive
musical theatre production. During the show you will also
be able to vote for your favourite act.
Joe Rospars, New Media Director for the Presidential
campaign of Barack Obama, will make a presentation
at the CrossMedia 2 meeting on Tuesday 5 May
where he will explain his strategy on the grassroots mobilization
effort for the Obama campaign. This meeting will explore the
impact of internet on TV and how cross-media content is challenging
the way we watch and even think about television.
The Summit also includes a series of specialized meetings
on a wide range of topics, from mobile content and formats
to children's drama & documentary and science & education.
Please note that ONLY the following
events are open to the press:
For press registration please contact Karen Mazzoli:
mazzoli@ebu.ch
or register directly by clicking
here. (in the comments box on the form please write “PRESS”.)
Note to editors:
* Eurovision TV is a brand of the EBU – the European Broadcasting
Union The Geneva-based EBU is the largest professional association
of national broadcasters in the world. It serves 75 active
Members in 56 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle
East together with 43 associate Members around the world.
The organisation operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks.
The EBU offers its Members technical, operational and legal
services, and coordinates a growing supply of quality content
for radio, television and new platforms. It works to secure
recognition of the crucial role of public service broadcasters
in the digital audiovisual landscape. More information on:
www.ebu.ch
Eurovision TV collaboration provides networking within all
genres of television production. Some 75 coproductions are
constantly in development or production, providing 1,900 hours
of programming to Members annually, including animation, fiction,
documentary series, competitions for young dancers and musicians,
and, of course, the annual mega-show, the Eurovision Song
Contest. More information on: www.eurovisiontv.com
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