Johannesburg 9 June 2010: Almost 60 years ago, in 1954 the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)* delivered 9 FIFA World Cup™ matches to 5 European countries. It was a historic moment in the development of television and the story of football. International broadcasting and sharing exciting pictures across countries became a reality and audiences loved it.
Since the 1950’s the EBU has been committed to supporting football and its followers with the best technology possible. This year the EBU will transmit 64 matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup 2010™ live on television to 37 countries***. In addition to SD and HD television broadcasting and radio, matches will be streamed live over the dedicated portal: www.eurovisionsports.tv/fifaworldcup***.

"The FIFA World Cup™ unites people, we are delighted that the EBU and its members will ensure that everyone can watch the games by delivering the event to all and free to air. Public broadcasters are committed to delivering the best football to their audiences wherever they are. " said Ingrid Deltenre, Director General, EBU.

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*The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) serves 86 national media organizations from 56 countries in and around Europe. It promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. It brings news, sports, events and music to your home through the Eurovision and Euroradio networks. The EBU develops and shares best practices, media expertise and innovation. It produces and exchanges rich and diverse programmes across all media. www.ebu.ch

**The following public service broadcasters obtained the rights through the EBU agreement with FIFA (Countries in alphabetical order, Broadcasters in brackets): Albania (RTV), Armenia (PTV), Austria (ORF), Azerbaijan (LMH****), Belarus (BTRC), Belgium (VRT/RTBF), Bosnia-Herzegovina (BHRT), Bulgaria (BNT), Croatia (HRT), Cyprus (CBC), Czech Republic (CT), Estonia (ETV), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (RTV), Georgia (GT), Greece (ERT)  Hungary (UMTV), Iceland (RUV), Ireland (RTE), Israel (IBA), Kazakhstan (KHABAR****), Kosovo (RTK), Latvia (VLT), Lithuania (LT), Malta (PBS), Moldova (TRM), Montenegro (RTCG), Netherlands (NOS), Poland (TVP), Portugal (RTP), Romania (TVR), Russia (RTR/CR1), Serbia (RTS), Slovakia (STV), Slovenia (RTVS), Switzerland (SSR-SRG idée suisse), Ukraine (NTU).

*** All viewers within the listed EBU territories covered by the agreement will be granted access to the video portal (If EBU members are available on the platform they are shown in brackets): Albania, Armenia (PTV), Austria (ORF) , Azerbaijan, Belgium (VRT, RTBF), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT), Bulgaria (BNT), Croatia, Cyprus (CBC), Czech Republic, Estonia (ERR), Georgia, Greece (ERT), Hungary (MTV), Iceland (RUV), Ireland (ERT), Israel (IBA), Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania ( LRT), Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta (PBS), Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands (NOS), Portugal (RTP), Romania (TVR), Russia (1CR, RTR), Serbia (RTS), Slovakia (STV), Slovenia (RTVS), Switzerland (SF, TSR, RSI), Turkey (TRT), Ukraine.

**** Not an EBU Member