The 21st season of the international television game showJeux sans frontières was held in the summer of 1990. Broadcasters from France, Italy, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, and Yugoslavia participated in the competition coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The different heats were hosted by some of the participant broadcasters in locations in their countries such as Bergamo (Italy), Guimarães (Portugal), Toulouse (France), and Vrnjačka Banja (Yugoslavia). The grand final was held in Treviso (Italy). The head international referees in charge of supervising the competition were Bernard Galley and Denis Pettiaux.[1]
For each heat, each broadcaster sent a mixed team of twelve members (six men and six women) from a city or town from its country that competed against each other in a series of games –funny physical games played in outlandish costumes, though none-the-less technically difficult– themed in the specific topic of the episode. After the eight heats, the most successful team from each country competed in the grand final. Each of the episodes was presented by the host broadcaster in its own language. Each of the participating broadcasters had their own presenters who did some on-site presentations for their audience and commented on the competition in their language. Due the complexity of the production, and that each broadcaster had its own personalized coverage, the episodes were filmed first and each broadcaster broadcast them at their convenience later.[2]
The season was won by the team from Jaca, Spain, being the runner-up the team from Bor, Yugoslavia.[3]
Heat 1 was hosted by RAI at the sports center in Bergamo, Italy, was themed about the history and traditions of the town, and was presented by Claudio Lippi and Feliciana Iaccio [it].
Heat 2 was hosted by TV Beograd on behalf of JRT at the spa park in Vrnjačka Banja, Yugoslavia, was themed about the history of the spa town, and was presented by Dubravka Marković [sr] and Jovan Pavliček.
Heat 3 was hosted by RTP at the castle of Guimarães, Portugal, was themed about the history of the town, and was presented by Eládio Clímaco and Ana do Carmo.
Heat 5 was hosted by RAI at the sports center in Bergamo, Italy, was themed about the typical products of the town, and was presented by Claudio Lippi and Feliciana Iaccio.
Heat 6 was hosted by TV Beograd on behalf of JRT at the spa park in Vrnjačka Banja, Yugoslavia, was themed about the spa town, and was presented by Dubravka Marković and Jovan Pavliček.
Heat 8 was hosted by Antenne 2 at the Place de la Daurade in Toulouse, France, was themed about the future of the town, and was presented by Georges Beller and Marie-Ange Nardi.
The final round was hosted by RAI at Prato della Fiera in Treviso, Italy, was themed about the history and traditions of the town, and was presented by Claudio Lippi et Feliciana Iaccio.