High-definition broadcast to power Games viewing

With the Commonwealth Games bringing high-definition live broadcast for the first time to the country, the broadcasting division of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Wednesday said the production and telecast quality will match international standards and create expertise which the country can use to modernise its broadcast industry.

Organising Committee treasurer Ashok Mattoo said some of the best production crew members from around the world will be arriving to telecast the Games. Prasar Bharati, the host broadcaster has selected the crew. Besides 1,000 Doordarshan crew members, a 250-strong BBC crew and a similar number from Australia and New Zealand will bolster the broadcast team.

Mr. Mattoo said 96 per cent of work was over at the International Broadcast Centre set up at Pragati Maidan. Besides the IBC, 18 broadcast compounds at competition venues have also been set up. While SIS Live will be in charge of production and coverage, MTNL will provide telecom services.

Broadcast consultant to OC Patrick Furlong said TV crews covering each event are specialists in that specific sporting event like cycling, gymnastics, swimming and athletics. Mr. Furlong said the highest levels of technology will be used including fly cams held up by wires to give overhead shots, pro-cams and dive-cams.

“This will be the best Commonwealth Games live coverage and I am willing to put all my experience on the line to say this,” said Mr. Furlong, who was involved with broadcasting at previous editions of the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and FIFA World Cup.

OC Additional Director-General (Broadcasting) Govardhan Sharma said test transmission of signals will start from September 15. He said Prasar Bharati will earn Rs.100 crore from domestic advertising revenue. He also added that Doordarshan was using 16:9 aspect ratio to transmit signals instead of the standard 4:3 aspect ratio as part of the switch to high-definition.

Mr. Mattoo said this was a positive gain for India as the Games will enable the grooming of a number of technicians adept in handling high-definition broadcast.