May 21, 2014 (Oslo, Norway) – Just two months after the last competitions of the season, a group of around 30 FIS Cross-Country and Nordic Combined TV experts, producers, directors, representatives of international TV rights holder Infront Sports & Media , FIS Marketing AG and FIS met in Oslo (NOR) from May 12-13 to review the 2013/14 season from a TV production perspective.

© Nordic Focus

The participants discussed the quality of the TV production, improvements for various courses, as well as the presentation of athletes before the start and proper use of TV graphics.

The group also debated the various competition formats and their presentation and communication to TV viewers. Feedback and challenges relating to TV experts working in a foreign country were brought to the table as well.

An important issue was the future development of the sport, specifically how to convey more stories, emotions and action to Cross-Country and Nordic Combined fans watching on television to increase interest in the sport.

“It was good to see such active and constructive discussions among the TV specialists,” FIS Nordic Combined Race Director Lasse Ottessen commented. “These experts are clearly great fans of Cross-Country Skiing and Nordic Combined.

“We appreciate everyone’s willingness to participate in further developing the sports,” FIS Cross-Country Race Director Pierre Mignerey added.

Valuable feedback and conclusions from the discussions were collected and will be presented to the Cross-Country and Nordic Combined Committees during the upcoming FIS Congress in Barcelona (ESP).