Zug, Switzerland, 17 January 2011 - International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS) is in full preparation for the host broadcast operations of the 7th Asian Winter Games Astana-Almaty from 30 January to 6 February 2011. The joint venture between Host Broadcast Services (HBS) – an Infront Sports & Media company – and IMG acts as host broadcaster for the biggest winter sport event in Asia, covering all eleven disciplines at ten different venues.

HD production with up to 32 cameras

The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in Almaty covers a surface of more than 2,000 square meters and was officially opened on 10 January – marking the symbolic start of IGBS’ event-time period. However, dozens of experienced IGBS staff members have been based in Kazakhstan for months, working in close collaboration with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Astana-Almaty Asian Winter Games Organising Committee (AWAGOC) in order to develop and implement an ambitious and exceptional broadcast plan for the event.

 

The host broadcast of the 7th Asian Winter Games will include all competitions, involving between 13 and 32 High Definition 16:9 cameras for every event. IGBS has contracted over 800 staff members, gathering broadcast industry veterans from all over the globe, including around 100 local hires. Also, approximately 130 tons of equipment has been shipped into Kazakhstan, in order to deliver this host broadcast to the highest technological standards.

 

About the Asian Winter Games

The Asian Winter Games is a multi-sport event held every four years for members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) which features winter events. From having only seven member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia taking part in the first edition in Sapporo in 1986, the number of nations competing in the Winter Asian Games has consistently grown. In the 2007 Games in Changchun, China, 27 out of the 45 members fielded a record number of competitors. The Asian Winter Games include eleven disciplines: Alpine Skiing, Bandy, Biathlon, Cross-Country, Freestyle Skiing, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Ski Orienteering, Ski Jumping, Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating.

www.astana-almaty2011.kz

 

About IGBS

IGBS, formerly DAGBS (Doha Asian Games Broadcast Services), is a unique joint venture between HBS and IMG Media which was set up in September 2004 with the mission of being the Host Broadcaster of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006. It has since provided production teams for the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010. The combined skills and experience of the two parent companies make IGBS a genuine and unique “turn-key” Host Broadcaster, drawing experienced personnel and expertise from the top levels of the television industry. The company’s head office is in Zug, Switzerland. Its Chief Executive Officer is Francis Tellier and its Chairman is Jeremy Cole.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jörg Polzer / Nike Möhle

Corporate Communications

Infront Sports & Media AG

Tel. +41-41-723 15 15

Fax +41-41-723 15 16

press infrontsports.com

www.infrontsports.com

 

Nicola Taylor

Director of Communication

Host Broadcast Services

Tel: +33-1-55 19 20 08

Fax: +33-1-55 19 20 03

ntaylor hbs.tv

www.igbs.tv