February 1997 – N°22 – News – ENGLISH
As part of preparations for coverage of the 1998 World Cup, the coordinating committee for the broadcasting consortium met on 12 December in Paris with radio and television unions from around the world. The meeting was chaired by President Amaury Daumas.
It was an occasion for TVRS 98, the host broadcaster of the World Cup, to set out its production plans.
The CFO for its part, presented plans for setting up radio and TV areas at the venues, as well as the requisite logistical means and accreditation measures to be put at the disposal of the world’s media. Between 3 and 7 February, approximately 40 representatives of various TV networks toured the venues to assess installations put in place by the CFO.
FIFA general tour
At the close of the Tournoi de France presentation on 16 January in Paris, Joseph Blatter the FIFA Secretary General announced that a number of FIFA representatives would be making a general tour of all 1998 World Cup venues between 7 and 11 April 97. He also announced his intention to personally visit the ten World Cup cities. After Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Saint-Denis which he visited last Autumn, Mr. Blatter will visit Toulouse, Montpellier and Marseille between 12 and 14 March. The visit to Marseille is of particular importance as it is the chosen venue for the FRANCE 98 big draw to take place on Thursday 4 December 1997.
Broadcasting times
The Organising Commission for the 1998 World Cup, the CFO and the TV consortium which met on 7 November in Zurich, have reached an agreement on match times.
The Opening Match will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. First round matches will kick-off at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. when two matches are played on the same day. And at 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on days with three matches. On days when four matches are to be played (last matches in the first round), two games will kick-off at 4 p.m. and two at 9 p.m. The round of sixteen and quarter final matches are to be played at 4:30 p.m. and at 9 p.m. The semi-finals (7 and 8 July), the third place play-off and the Final will all be at 9 p.m.