A date on Robbie Williams' Close Encounters tour is set to be simultaneously broadcast live on radio stations in 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East after EMAP Radio Events signed the global broadcast rights to the gig.
They will broadcast Robbie's sell out show at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna to 19 EMAP (and additional GCap) stations in the UK, plus other stations around the world, including RTL2 in France, Cadena 100 in Spain, RTL 102.5 in Italy, ARD stations throughout Germany, O3 in Austria, Highveld Stereo in South Africa, Europa 2 in The Czech Republic and Radio Jerusalem in Israel. So wide is the broadcast that EMAP are dubbing the day of the gig - 19 Aug - as Robbie Day.
Announcing the venture, Siobhan Crampsey of Emap Radio Events told CMU: "We're delighted to be working with [Robbie's management company] ie:music to co-ordinate one of the biggest events of the year for international radio. The response we're getting from all territories testifies - as if proof were needed - that the 'Robbie Factor' is a phenomenon from Iceland to the Emirates"
Mike Allen, SVP International Marketing of Robbie's label EMI added: "The scale of this event serves to underline that on the continent of Europe there is no other star - British or otherwise - who eclipses Robbie Williams - it's been like that for some time and no doubt will long continue"