Zug, Switzerland, 14 August 2008 – Last week-end, Host Broadcast Services (HBS), the specialist host broadcaster owned by the Swiss-based sports marketing group Infront Sports & Media, launched its four-year term as the host broadcaster of the French Football League (Ligue 1) with a nine match multiplex, featuring several broadcast innovations.

More than 500 staff and over 100 cameras were deployed throughout France to ensure that all operations went smoothly. It was a promising start to HBS' involvement with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).

HBS won the competitive tender for the role of host broadcaster to the LFP just four months ago.  In that time, it has assembled and trained a dedicated team of specialists to handle the production of the signal for Ligue 1, operating as a stand-alone company - HBS Production France – under the direct control of HBS.

Innovative Digital Media Production
The challenge facing HBS Production France is to provide all the production refinements and services needed for the successful delivery of the Ligue 1 matches including - for the first time - specific digital media production of league football for the Internet and mobile phones.

There are 10 matches per weekend, usually seven on Saturdays and three on Sundays, with approximately three hours of coverage per match. Twenty stadiums and clubs are involved.

The production team includes 11 TV directors, 15 media managers, 80 technical staff (on average) for each Premium Match and 40 technical staff (on average) per Fan Match.  There are 10-18 HBS cameras for each match and a specific camera for a dedicated mobile production.

A dedicated Mobile International Signal
Thanks to the specific Mobile International Signal (MIS) made available for the mobile operator Orange in France, mobile phone users for the first time are able to follow selected matches of the French League (eight of the weekend's 10) on their handsets in real time. The signal is produced by a dedicated team of new media specialists. The MIS ensures optimal image quality and appropriate framing for mobile users and is a progression from HBS’ dedicated new media coverage at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.

Another HBS innovation is a searchable clip database featuring match highlights, interviews, contentious actions, slow-motion replays and much more, created during each match by a team of specially-trained loggers who "tag" clips with relevant keywords. The database is a spin-off of the well-received Clip Compilation Channel, also inaugurated during HBS' host broadcast of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.

Francis Tellier, CEO of HBS, said: “So we had a great start and we now have another 300+ games to deliver over the season. We are confident that all will go well, but it’s a really big challenge. The FIFA World Cup™ is once every four years, but this lasts for 10 months every year. We are pleased and proud that we can demonstrate that HBS can meet and exceed expectations”.

About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media AG based in Zug, Switzerland, is one of the most experienced international sports marketing companies in the world with an exceptional track record on major events. Infront looks after a superb range of prestige international sports properties and is recognised for its innovative marketing skills and the provision of specialist services to sport. Infront has been expanding rapidly, both organically and through strategic acquisition. The group now has more than 400 employees across the group, with 24 offices in 11 countries.

About Host Broadcast Services (HBS)
Host Broadcast Services (HBS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Infront Sports & Media. As a dedicated, independent host broadcast specialist, it helps sports federations and organising committees worldwide to televise their events in the most exciting way, by offering its highly developed and technologically advanced service, delivering true value for money, on budget and on time. The Host Broadcasting division of HBS is in charge of major Host Broadcast contracts for world events such as the FIFA World Cup™ - events which typically run for 3-4 weeks or more; involve several years of planning, the creation of an International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and the provision of tailored facilities and services. The Production & Programming division focuses mainly on production-led projects, working on shorter timescales where a smaller infrastructure is required.

For further information, please contact:

Jörg Polzer
Manager, Communication & PR
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 Communication
Host Broadcast Services AG
Tel. + 33-1-55 19 20 08
Fax + 33-1-55 19 20 03
info@hbs.tv

www.hbs.tv