Managing Director of Coco Television, Stuart Switzer, told IFTN that 11 HD cameras and 60 crew members will spearhead coverage of this year’s two St. Patrick’s Day parades - beginning with the People's Parade at 11:05am, followed by the main St. Patrick's Festival Parade at 12:30pm.
Dublin native Simon Gibney - winner of three IFTAs - will helm the multi-camera operation which, for the first time, will be broadcast in HD via the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) satellite world feed.
Coverage will kick off on RTE One at 12:20pm on St. Patrick’s Day, and also be carried on the RTE Player and YouTube, with a repeat of highlights at 5:25pm on RTE Two.
Coco Productions will also manage St. Patrick’s Festival coverage for 15-20 US channels from Grafton Street on March 15th and the parades on March 17th.
The HD requirement was driven by international requirements but RTÉ One will be broadcasting a standard quality transmission.
Special tourism FTP sites will carry the broadcast signal in HD for download to international stations and sites.
The five-day St. Patrick’s festival aims to embody the theme of The Gathering 2013, bearing the slogan: ‘Great things happen when we get together.’
Westlife’s Nicky Byrne assumes the role of Grand Marshal for the parade, with RTE presenters Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Aidan Power and Des Cahill providing a running commentary on the pageantry as it unfolds.
The People’s Parade will feature representatives from over 40 countries and a musical score by musical ensembles from the US, Germany, Italy and Ireland.
The St. Patrick’s Festival Parade starts at 12:20pm, Sunday, on RTÉ One.
