Geneva, 28 November 2011 – The Magic Circus Show, a TV entertainment format organized by the EBU, will be broadcast during prime-time family slots on seven public broadcaster channels over the Christmas period.   This unique coproduction is in its second year. The circus show features European children performing circus acts under a big top in Geneva. Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) hosted the event and 7Street Productions produced the show.

[MagicCircusShow]

Over 70 children from different parts of Europe performed 21 acts during a 90-minute show recorded in Geneva on 26 November. Children from Switzerland, France, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, the Netherlands and Belgium performed a rich variety of circus acts reflecting the diverse circus traditions of Europe. The acts were selected by a rigorous selection procedure in their home countries at the beginning of the year. The aim of the show is not to designate a winner, but to show the diversity of circus culture in Europe through the performances of talented young children.

“The European Broadcasting Union supports innovative youth programming and the exchange of knowledge and traditions and this was a perfect event to encapsulate this,” said Nadja Burkhardt, Executive Supervisor of event from EBU. She continues, “It has been a wonderful adventure for these artists who have shared together their passion for the circus.” 

Coproducers include France 3, RTP (Portugal), RTR (Russia), RTS (Switzerland), NTU (Ukraine), TROS (Netherlands) and VRT Ketnet (Belgium).

Broadcasting times of Magic Circus Show:
NTU Ukraine: 12.00, 1 January
VRT Belgium:  19.30, 24 December.  Rebroadcast 16.00, 25 December
TROS (on Z@pp) Netherlands:  17.35, 25 December
France 3:  10.00, 31 December
RTP Portugal: 12.00, 25 December
RTS Switzerland:  16.00, 25 December
RTR Russia:  First week of January, between New Year and Russian Orthodox Christmas

For further information on broadcasting times in the above mentioned countries  please contact Nadja Burkhardt: [email protected]

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Note to editors:

* The EBU serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its Members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproduction and exchange of quality European content. For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch