For the first time in its 159 year history, the Melbourne Cup Carnival will be crowd-free. Frank Smith, Executive Producer Sport, tells us about this year’s new-look broadcast and how he plans to bring energy to a crowdless cup.
What are the biggest hurdles you are facing in a COVID-19 environment as you approach the herculean task of broadcasting the Melbourne Cup Carnival?
Firstly, keeping everyone safe. We have put a meticulous COVID Safety plan in place to protect the broadcast and the people putting it together. 2020 is a complete re-set, the lessons learnt from last year no longer apply which is both exciting and daunting at the same time.
We have a new on-air team lead by Stephen Quartermain and Gorgi Coghlan, presenting from a brand-new studio on the front lawn of Flemington.
We have had to be flexible with our planning and storytelling, as well as adapt to individual state and territory restrictions. Not to mention the lack of crowds!
We have managed to overcome numerous obstacles and we can’t wait to bring the Melbourne Cup Carnival to life.
With no punters sauntering around the grounds of Flemington this year, how do you plan to bring the energy into the broadcast? Will you be crossing to the homes of the stars that are synonymous with the Melbourne Cup Carnival?
The Lexus Melbourne Cup is one of the greatest days on the Australian sporting calendar, and this year, everyone has a ticket to the Cup!
We’re exploring how people celebrate the race that stops the nation throughout the broadcast. Whether it’s fishing on the Murray in Victoria, Croc racing in the Northern Territory or a traditional ladies lunch at Moree in NSW. The Melbourne Cup Carnival isn’t confined to Flemington this year, it’s a truly national event.
There’s always a COVID-19 silver lining – what has the pandemic gifted the broadcast this year?
Racing is resilient, it’s the only sport in the world that has continued without a pause through COVID, however, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is also synonymous with fashion and entertainment. To me, these are the two pillars that will benefit the most from the new look broadcast.
The Myer Fashions on the Field now features the front lawns of all contestants, with finalists featured in individual vignettes; everyone has a story to tell and we have some compelling on camera moments.
Music will also be prominent, high profile Australian artists – like Pete Murray, Kate Miller-Heidke and Illy – have shot “Flemington film clips,” with tracks for both broadcast and digital, encompassing the holistic network approach.
