Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co., Ltd (BOB), which is responsible for the broadcasting service of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, held its first meeting of directors on October 27, marking the official launch of the broadcasting work of Beijing 2008.

A state-approved joint venture, BOB is established by the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) and the Olympic Broadcasting Services S.A.(OBS). The company is in charge of producing the International Television and Radio Signals for the Olympic Games, building and operating the International Broadcasting Center and necessary facilities and equipment at other venues, as well as providing related services to holders of Olympic broadcasting rights. The company staff will be expanded to about 4,000 by 2008 and more than 4 billion people worldwide are expected to follow the event on TV or radio.

Heads of BOB were determined at the meeting. They are: Chairman of directors' board: Jiang Xiaoyu (BOCOG Vice-President); Vice-chairman of directors' board: Hein Verbruggen (Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission of the 2008 Beijing Olympics); CEO: Manolo Romero (OBS General Manager) and Chief Operating Officer: Ma Guoli (CCTV Sports Center Director).

BOB is established according to international practice and out of consideration for Chinese conditions to fulfill the task of broadcasting Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, Jiang Xiaoyu told reporters. Its mission is to realize high-level TV broadcast of the 2008 Games. Meanwhile, the company will bend on accumulating experience, foster staff so as to leave behind a rich staff and technological legacy for China's broadcasting undertakings.

By People's Daily Online