Broadcast Services set the tone for BOB's tenure making everyone at home with their IBC welcome party

BOB Officially Move Into the IBC (April 2008)

By Wang Gang, Planning

On March 17, 2008, BOB finally left their Minzhuang Lu home of the past 3 years and moved into the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) in the Olympic Green. While still under construction, BOB's office areas within the IBC are ready, occupying a total of 6 zones on 4 floors.

Broadcast Services and Broadcast Relations are located next to each other at the northern end of the IBC on the ground floor, with the BOB Technical area joining them on the ground floor in a central location. To the eastern side of the second floor, running north to south respectively are our Planning, Senior Executive, and Production offices. HR and Finance & Administration are positioned to the east of the fourth floor and Logistics occupies the space to the north on the same floor. Finally our Engineering department has set up home on the eastern side of the fifth floor.

Currently, BOB is completing the cabling for RHB booked areas and it is estimated that, beginning in May, some RHBs will commence with the equipment installation work in their IBC spaces.

With Security and Cleaning services now operating and the construction work almost finished, we believe the IBC will be fully ready for RHBs in the near future.

TOT gets underway

Technical Operations Training (April 2008)

By Lu Fang, Engineering

To help achieve our goal of a smooth and harmonic Olympic Games operation, BOB held the first of two Technical Operations Training (TOT) sessions from Mar 4th to Mar 7th. Widely recognized as the largest and most complex live sports production in the world, the size and global importance of the Olympic Games demand a unique approach to the broadcast. Such methods often differ significantly from those broadcast coverage practices regularly adopted in a permanent broadcast chain, in smaller events where multiple sports are covered, or in large events where a single sport is covered. The TOT sessions aim to assist our TV colleagues in familiarizing themselves with the specific technical configurations and operational procedures that will be implemented at Games-time.

The training involved instruction from several departments within BOB, all planned to ensure that the needs of the RHBs are met. A key element, and one enthusiastically approached by all involved, were the 'War-Games' simulations. Designed to re-produce actual Games-time scenarios, they provided participants with the opportunity to practice and comprehend the complexities of the operations they will face. Additionally, as a first in Olympic Broadcast Technical Trainings, the understanding of equipment operations was enhanced through vendor specific training. With the venue surveys, participants were given an insight into the set up and conditions of the venues, and the chance to acquaint themselves with their summer working environment.

For BOB this first Technical Operations Training was an instructive success and moves us closer to our goal of a successful Olympics coverage.

The Stunning "Water Cube" at Night Photo taken by: Helen Sotiriadis

Test Event at NAC

Water Cube Holds a Successful 1st Test Event (April 2008)

By Renee Gao, Planning

The National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube", is one of the most beautiful venues built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It is located at the north east corner of the Beichenxi Road and the North Fourth Ring Road crossing, to the west of the National Stadium.

The venue is a box-shaped design wrapped in an appearance of blue bubbles which form the basis for this unique and inspiring structure. Lit up in dazzling blue at night, the glittering, dramatic appearance heightens the sense of romance surrounding the venue. The translucent skin made from the high-tech plastic ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) adds the special defining touch to the iconic look. This ductile material helps shape the bubble outfit, while also providing resistance to fire and intense heat.

The venue interior accommodates 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary seats all made with translucent blue or white plastic, while the diving tower at the east end is also covered by translucent glass. All of this helps contribute to Beijing's promise of a 'Green Olympics' projecting a clear message - fresh and clean.

At Games-time athletes will compete for 44 gold medals in this spectacular Olympic venue: 34 in Swimming, 8 in Diving, and 2 in Synchronized Swimming. However, some lucky citizens have already had the chance to witness action in the water by attending the Test Event competitions. The 'Water Cube' has already successfully held two events: the 'Good Luck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open' from January 31 to February 5 and the '16th FINA Diving World Cup 2008' from February 19 to 24. From April 16 to 20, the venue will also feature its last test event before the Games - the '2008 Olympic Games Synchronized Swimming Qualification Tournament'.

The 'Water Cube' will welcome spectators from all over the world to Beijing this summer with those unable to make the trip still able to witness its magnificence through TV, Radio, and Internet coverage. Good luck Beijing, Good luck "Water Cube"!

Outside shot of IBC from the north-east corner at dusk

BOB Tech Area in the IBC

Fit to Broadcast (January 2008)

Great progress is seen in the fitting out of the IBC, just months before BOB moves in
By Angel Zhao, Broadcast Relations

January marked an exciting month as the BOB Tech area at the IBC was handed over to BOB. The Tech Area is the first section ready inside IBC and was delivered January 7th. With its red walls, black ceiling, and chrome piping, the area has a post-modern feel with the centerpiece being a 5.1 surround audio control room for high-quality audio signals.

The CDT (Contribution, Distribution, and Transmission Center) installation is in full swing. As this is the first time for all coverage to be in high definition, more cables and larger monitor walls are needed than with previous Games. BOB has set up a temporary office inside the Tech Area to coordinate both the Engineering and Planning operations. BOCOG and the venue owner provide security, guarding the entrances and patrolling the area 24/7.

A visit to the fourth floor of the IBC showcases the impressive Ling Long Pagoda, taking shape outside. The view from the Games-time stand-up positions also shows the National Stadium.
Although the temperature has dropped in recent days in Beijing, progress has not been delayed in anyway. BOB is looking forward to moving into the massive space before the end of March.

Stand-up positions on the fourth floor

CDT equipment being installed

Workers busy in the main dining area

Equipment arrives at the Warehouse where staff begin the inventory process

The Warehouse contains 12,000m2 of covered storage space

Taking Stock (January 2008)

BOB Warehouse starts receiving equipment and increasing staff numbers
By William Zhao, Broadcast Relations

As most Rights Holding Broadcasters are aware, the BOB Warehouse is a remote unit with the function of supporting BOB operations. The Warehouse plays a key role in the planning and preparatory activities related to installations and personnel of BOB. Almost all of BOB's equipment passes through the Warehouse with staff handling all shipping and receiving, identification, registration and classification, quality control, storage and inventory control, installation control, and set-up.

Operational since mid-July, 2007, the Warehouse is located in Building A-1 within the BOCOG Olympic Logistics Centre, 15 Shunchang Road, Beijing Airport Logistics Park, Shunyi District, Beijing. This location is approximately 2km from the airport, 27km from the Olympic Green, and 155km from the Tianjin port.

The Warehouse contains 12,000 square metres of covered storage space (split on two levels and serviced by 4 elevators) and currently has 5,570 square metres outside for OB Vans.

To ensure safe operating conditions for all technical equipment and personnel working within the facility, the location is secured with CCTV and security and climate control 24/7.

There is currently a Logistics-Warehouse staff (9 personnel) working at the facility. Additionally, a further 10 people from Engineering and Finance are based there permanently and several others who are back and forth between the Warehouse and the International Broadcast Centre or BOB Head Office. We would expect that during Games-time, on any given day, up to 200 people could spend time at the Warehouse. These include BOB staff from all departments, vendors, drivers, and runners. About 50 of these will be permanently based at the Warehouse and the remainder will come and go depending on equipment and venue needs.

Operational equipment stored in the Warehouse includes digital and analogue electronic-based devices, cables, and back-up items used during the operational period. The Warehouse operations include delivery to the IBC and to all of the competition venues during the bump-in period, planned (and emergency) deliveries during Games-time, and reverse logistics services to support Strike activities during the bump-out period.

On December 4th 2007, the Warehouse officially began receiving BOB equipment. The first large intake was the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) equipment that arrived from Madrid. This included the TOC and CDT racks. Additionally, the Warehouse receives regular shipments of cables. Both the CDT and the majority of the cables are only staged at the Warehouse temporarily, eventually being shipped back out to the IBC. BOB expects to receive vendor equipment deliveries into the Warehouse right up until the start of the Games.

Between June and December, six Broadcast Training Program courses were held at the Warehouse. In all, approximately 1,200 students were trained by different departments and will be hired as part of the BOB team during Games-time.

Venue Tour for broadcasters during WBM

Mr. Jiang Xiaoyu giving a speech at WBM

2nd World Broadcaster Meeting
(September 2007)
BOB hosted more than 300 RHBs this September from the WBM
By Amanda Kemper, Logistics

In September BOB hosted the 2nd World Broadcaster Meeting in Beijing with more than 300 Rights Holding Broadcaster representatives in attendance.

The meeting provided BOB with the opportunity to inform Broadcasters of the progress made in the areas of production, engineering, and broadcast services. BOCOG’s presentations included an overall status review of the venues and information in several functional areas such as sport, Games-time operations, security, accreditation, custom clearance, ticketing, image and identity, administrative matters, and culture and ceremonies.

President of BOCOG, Mr. Liu Qi, in his keynote speech, assured broadcasters that BOCOG is still committed to providing convenience to foreign media according to the international practices of the Olympic Games. Mr. Jiang Xiaoyu, Chairman of the Board of BOB and Executive Vice-President of BOCOG spoke on Culture and Ceremonies.

In addition to the 2nd WBM, BOB held a Broadcaster Briefing for the Paralympic Games on September 25th, 2007. This briefing was a first of its kind and 100 broadcasters were in attendance.

This year’s WBM Venue Survey brought broadcasters inside the IBC to give each broadcaster the chance to see their own IBC space. Broadcasters also visited key Olympic venues including the National Stadium, the National Aquatics Centre and the National Indoor Stadium. For most broadcasters this was the first opportunity to view the interior of Beijing’s showcase venues. Broadcasters were impressed with the dramatic changes in the venues since the 1st WBM held last year.

Test event at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park

Test event at Olympic Green Hockey Field

Beijing Tests Itself (September 2007)

Celebrating and inviting the world, Beijing appears to be testing its worth
By Marnie Gao, Broadcast Relations

Beijing’s 2007 test events kicked off on July 1st and 4th, starting with the Football competition, in Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium and Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Centre Stadium respectively. With events scheduled throughout 2007, and into June, 2008. BOB’s team will be at most, if not all – traveling not only across the city, but across China, to test out the Olympic venues.

While local-based China Central Television (CCTV) and Beijing Television (BTV) undertake the host-broadcasting role for the series of test events, BOB capitalizes on training opportunities by scheduling most Production Planning Meetings in conjunction with the relevant test events. The “Good Luck Beijing” 2007 International Baseball Tournament was a case in point.

The gathering at Wukesong Baseball Field was conceptualized training put in practice: beside dugouts and OB vans, the Production Manager, the BOCOG Venue Media Manager, and the Director for the test event were introduced to each other and began discussions that will continue and lead up to August 2008. Tours at venues provided Venue Production Teams with updated information, which was quickly incorporated into planning at the BOB offices.

For BOB Coordinating Producer Ted Ayling and his team, August was an exceptionally busy time with nonstop Production Planning Meetings and Test Events in Rowing, Canoe Flatwater, Canoe Slalom, Wrestling and Equestrian in Hong Kong. Ayling was pleased to see that what had, to date, been plans on paper, started to take shape at the venues. “We were able to take the Production Plans on to the next stage,” said Ayling.

China Agricultural University Gymnasium test event gave the Wrestling Federation the opportunity to visualize minor changes in venue set-up, while the Equestrain venue in Hong Kong, in near-typhoon weather, was a real eye opener to all concerned, offering a taste of possible challenging conditions that BOB may face at the same time next year. Shunyi, host to the Rowing and Canoeing events was proclaimed by all as a truly spectacular venue.

BOB welcomes the task of incorporating experience from these test events into the Venue Survey Report 3 which will become the definitive plan for 2008.

Broadcast Training Program (BTP)

- BTP UPDATE (January 2008)
BOB Welcomes 942 Students through BTP
By Marnie Gao, Broadcast Relations

After several sessions of workshops from September to December, BOB has concluded the Broadcast Training Program (BTP), welcoming 942 successful applicants from four contracted universities.
The majority are from Beijing University of Technology and the Communication University of China, which take up 266 and 660 positions respectively. Almost all of them will be working in Beijing and Football co-host cities.
30 local students from China Ocean University will work along with BOB at Qingdao Sailing Olympic Sailing Center, while 42 students from Hong Kong Baptist University will be spreading across Beijing, Shenyang and Shanghai, apart from Hong Kong.

- BTP UPDATE (October 2007)

By Jackie Chan

The Broadcast Training Programme (BTP) is well underway. Some 600-plus student candidates from Beijing Communications University and Beijing University of Technology have been put through their paces by BOB staff. The unique training methods of each BOB department gives them a good grounding in their Games-time duties.
The COMMENTARY department trained at our warehouse in Shunyi. Selected students will perform the duties of actual CCR operators, so they had a lot to learn.

Students have photos taken with BOB Commentary System Group
Earnest students asking questions during CCR operation training	Camera Assistant's meeting before a soccer game,photo taken by consultant trainer Jim Owens

Another long session was run by PRODUCTION for Archivist Loggers. The lucky students had the opportunity to enjoy ‘hands-on’ experience, operating the actual machines and software that will be used during the Games. In past Olympics, trainees practised the logging process using pen and paper.

VENUE LIAISON added the element of role plays. Creating a mock-up of a Games venue complete with camera platforms, commentary tribune and Mixed Zone, BOB trainers pretend to be broadcasters who encounter various problems. It is not only a valuable training tool, but a way to observe which students can best work together to solve unfamiliar challenges.

Venue Liaison Manager Colin Banks explaining venue operations

Trainers and trainees enjoying the role plays

- Broadcast Training Program (BTP) Launched in Full Swing for the Beijing Olympic Games (March 2007)

BTP offers university students the opportunity to better understand the history of the Olympic Games and acquire basic skills required for TV/radio broadcasting. Students who complete the training program and pass the tests and interviews will be selected as temporary employees of BOB, the Host Broadcaster of the Beijing Olympic Games, and participate in the broadcasting for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The positions available include Camera Assistant, Audio Assistant, Liaison Officer, Commentary System Operator, Logistics Assistant, Business Assistant, Interpreter and Archivists, etc.. By working with the world's best broadcasting team in a worldwide sporting event, the university students will no doubt benefit from this incredibleexperience and become more competitive in their future career.

Mr. Ma Guoli, Chief Operating Officer of BOB signed the contracts with Mr. Lv Xuewu, Assistant President of CUC, and Mr. Lu Zhenyang, Deputy President of Beijing Tech respectively. Mr. Gao Changli, Deputy Head of Media Operations Department, and Mr. Yiannis Exarchos, Senior Executive Officer of BOB witnessed the whole signing ceremony.

Production Planning Meeting（PPM）

- PPM UPDATE (April 2008)

By Mar 31 2008, 13 PPMs covering 24sports have been finished since June 2007.There are 1 last PPM covering 4 Sports to finish before the end of April, 2008.

- PPM UPDATE (January 2008)

By Jan 11 2008, 9 PPMs covering 22 sports have been finished since June 2007.There are 3 more PPMs covering 8 Sports to finish before the end of April, 2008.

- PPM UPDATE (October 2007)

By Brenda Kwan

Since our first Production Planning Meeting (PPM) in June, BOB have since completed another 4 more PPM covering 11 sports. Venue Production Teams who participated include the BBC, CBC, TV Globo, TV Slovenia, ICRT, KBS, a US Freelance Team and 7 local Chinese Teams (CCTV, BTV, SMG, TJTV, GDTV, LNTV and ZJTV).

There are 7 more PPMs covering 14 Sports to finish before the end of April, 2008.

Production team listening to BOB's presentation at PPM

PPM attendees taking the tea break

- BOB's 1st Production Planning Meeting (August 2007)

This past June,2007, BOB held its first set of Production Planning Meetings with accompanying venue tour. Production teams for Athletics, Softball, Wrestling and Football attended the briefings held in the conference hall across from the BOB offices

PPM attendees on tour at the National Stadium.	PPM attendees and BOB staff gather outside NST for the venue tour.
Mike Klatt, Deputy Head of Production at BOB, briefs attendees at NST.	The 1st PPM begins with presentation from BOB Executive Management and Department Heads.
Bo Lindqvist, from SVT, casts an eye over the PPM manual during the meeting, held at the conference hall at BOB.	Mike Klatt, Jose Ramon Diez, Producer for Ceremonies, and Veli-Matti Erkkila from YLE, tour NST's perimeter.
Heather McCann(left), Softball BVM, and Sue Keith, NST VLM, enjoy a quick break during the PPM.	PPM attendees looking out over the NST Field of Play.
The scale model of the Olympic Green in the main hall at BOB's office, draws the crowds.

Aerial Filming (October 2007)

By Yu Zhen

During the previous months, with the active cooperation of the Army and relevant Authorities, BOB conducted successfully the first helicopter tests and made the first aerial shooting over the Olympic Green area. The first images we got present a magnificent view of the Olympic Venues. During the WBM we presented only a few shots to the RHBs who were very impressed and asked for similar footage.

We have still a lot of tests and preparation to do (second aerial shooting test accomplished in early November; two more tests are scheduled in April and May of 2008), but we believe that the use of helicopters next year during the Games will allow us to showcase Beijing in its full Olympic splendour and in a way it has never been seen before.

Aerial Shot of the National Stadium

Aerial Shot of the National Aquatics Center

Room with an Olympic View (August 2007)

An introduction to the Ling Long Pagoda
By Angel Zhao, Broadcast Relations

Broadcasters now have the chance to showcase the grandeur of the Beijing Olympic Green from a spectacular structure designed specifically with the Rights Holding Broadcasters in mind: The Ling Long Pagoda.

Also known as the Pagoda or the Olympic Green Multifunctional Studio Tower, this seven-floored, 128m-high tower will be used for the television broadcast of the Games, where Rights Holding Broadcasters will work in their studios with the Olympic Green and the main venues of the Olympic Games as a stunning backdrop. The Pagoda is located in the central area of the Olympic Green, connected to Grand View Road as well as the training venue of the National Stadium.

The Pagoda has a planned space of 6,270m, with an actual building occupation space of 1,100 m.
Inspiration for the Pagoda came from both traditional Chinese pagoda-style architecture and also today's architectural trend of using modern steel and glass walls in building structures. The name "Ling Long” means exquisite – a quality that the construction company hopes to embody in the building and the broadcasting facilities within.

Each floor is shaped as an equilateral triangle with two elevators at two corners and one fire escape at the third. A standard floor height is 13.6m, with the upper stories used as the broadcasting studios and the lower storey reserved for equipment storage and washrooms. Transparent glass runs vertically along the sides of the tower. The glass meets all BOB requirements regarding TV broadcasting.

The deadline for booking applications has passed. The construction started on June 6th, 2007, and the tower is expected to be delivered to BOB July 1, 2008.

A Smooth Ride (May 2007)

The city works to free up traffic congestion problems

With 1,060 more cars hitting the road every day in Beijing, people are growing concerned about the city's ability to cope with the traffic and environmental problems that the increase brings, especially with the Olympics around the corner.

The city is taking an aggressive stance on fighting the traffic problems, particularly through development of public transportation, to which the municipal government has committed 4.98 billion yuan, more than 1.3 billion up from last year's allotment. Bus fares have been significantly decreased in the hopes of luring more passengers, and several new subway and light rail lines, nearly 1,000 additional kilometers, will be in place by the Olympics.

There are now more than 2.9 million cars in Beijing, and Xinhua reported on January 22, 2007, that it is estimated that the number will reach 3.3 million by the Olympics. While this number does not yet eclipse that of other major cities like London and Tokyo, a 15 per cent growth rate means that Beijing's traffic issues present a major problem. Compared with other metropolises, Beijingers also use their cars much more frequently, and there are over 4 million licensed drivers in the city. As the Olympics approach, the city's population is also expected to increase exponentially, meaning that the already worrisome dearth of sufficient roads will become increasingly problematic.

Traffic problems have already become a major stress on the city, resulting in daily traffic gridlock and excessive pollution, facets that have been reflected in the city's quality of life rating according to the Beijing International Institute for Urban Development's yearly survey. The city dropped from 4th place in 2005 to 14th place in 2006 due to just such problems, according to an article in the People's Daily in September of 2006. More cars on the road also means that driving is increasingly dangerous; Xinhua reported on April 2 of this year, that during the first three months of 2007, more than 18,000 have died in traffic-related accidents.

Although it seems as if increasing the length of roads can never catch up with the growth in the number of motor vehicles, the government hopes that the construction of thousands of kilometers of roads will ease traffic problems. Paying particular attention to the pressures that the Olympics will place on transportation in the city, officials have plans to ban vehicles around Olympic venues and to create special cars lanes for officials, athletes, and referees that will cover over 200 kilometers altogether, and will be in place for 58 days, from July 25 to September 20, 2008. On April 19, 2007, Xinhua reported that more than one million automobiles will be banned from driving in Beijing during the Olympic Games with Liu Xiaoming, vice director of the Beijing Municipal Transportation Committee, commenting that the ban is expected to reduce the number of vehicles in Beijing by 20 – 30 per cent during that time.

The city also plans to introduce vehicle-exhaust monitoring devices. The Environment News Service, on April 13, 2007 reported that to control vehicle pollutants, authorities are going to enforce the IV national emission standard for new vehicles. This will hopefully control the harmful automotive emissions that are estimated to contribute to half of the city's air pollution, another major concern as the Olympics approach. 2,580 old buses and 5,000 taxis will be taken off the roads and in 2006 alone, 4,000 natural gas driven buses were put into operation.

Seats for Sale (May 2007)

Tickets for the 2008 Olympic Games go on sale domestically
By Amanda Brown-Inz

The official ticketing website for the Games, which went up in early March, will offer tickets for sale starting this April.

The tickets will be released in three phases, according to BOCOG officials, from now through Games-time. Tickets will range in cost from 200-5,000 yuan for the opening ceremony on August 8, 150-3,000 yuan for the closing ceremony, and 30-1,000 yuan for the competition events, with men's basketball tickets topping the list in cost. Tickets to the most popular events will be decided by a random draw.

The website (www.tickets.beijing2008.cn/) is currently open to the domestic public, Chinese nationals and foreigners residing in China, to pre-register to buy the tickets as they are made available. At present time, the site offers Chinese, English, and French language options. In the future, the website will offer more updated information on competition schedules, ticketing prices, ordering procedure, ticketing policies, venues and traffic as well as notices to spectators. Ticket orders can also be placed at designated Bank of China ticket outlets throughout the country, beginning this month.

Phase two of the ticket availability will begin in October of this year, and the final stage will begin next April and run through Games-time. According to the site, ticket delivery will take place in June of 2008.

More than 7 million tickets will be available for sale. At least half will go to local fans, BOCOG says, and an effort has been made to keep a majority of the tickets reasonably priced, so 58 percent of the tickets will cost 100 yuan or less.
According to the website, opening and closing ceremony, diving and Artistic Gymnastics have been in the highest demand so far.

A Familiar Face (2006 October)

Profile: Caroline Ramsay


Caroline Ramsay, BOB's Head of Broadcast Services, will be familiar to many of you, having worked for the Olympic Host Broadcaster since the Sydney 2000 Games.

Hailing from Scotland, although now holding dual British and Australian citizenship, Caroline brings a wealth of broadcasting experience to her role. Having first begun work in television sports production in London and then Sydney, Caroline has since worked on consecutive Olympics (Nagano 1998 being the only omission) dating back to a six week summer stint in Barcelona in 1992.