Eurovision News Events to be host broadcaster for historic Biden-Putin Summit
Eurovision News Events, in collaboration with Swiss broadcaster and EBU Member, RTS, is to be host broadcaster for the first-ever meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The historic ‘2021 Geneva Summit’ will take place on 16 June.
This is a large-scale media operation for a high-stakes meeting. Over 1,000 national and international journalists, along with delegations from Russia, the US and Switzerland, will attend in person. Facilities provided by the host broadcasters will include up to 40 stand-up camera positions and two press centres. Over 70 people will be working on the operation which will have additional complexity, taking place against a backdrop of strict health protocols – see full details for entry to Switzerland and health measures for journalists covering the Summit here.
Eurovision News Events has been appointed by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to deliver on-the-ground media services, including onsite production and transmission facilities, multi-camera stand-up positions, workspaces and studios, specialized equipment and technical support. This contract follows a number of significant breaking news events covered by the Eurovision News Events team, including: the G7 Summit (June 2021); the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (April 2021); and the US Presidential Election (November 2020).
Liz Corbin is Deputy Media Director and Head of News at the EBU, “This historic meeting will dominate the news agenda – and rightly so – with potential ramifications on a global scale. We are delighted to have secured host broadcaster status, along with our colleagues at RTS. We have a highly skilled and experienced team that will ensure all news outlets will have access to the best positions and pictures so that this important event can be relayed to audiences worldwide.”
Media requirements and stand-up needs should be sent to the News Events team via newsevents@eurovision.net or +41 22 717 29 00