Baku 2015 European Games is today pleased to announce it has signed an international broadcast agreement with leading German sports platform SPORT1.
The agreement will see SPORT1 become the exclusive broadcaster of the inaugural European Games in Germany, enabling viewers to enjoy free-to-air live coverage of all 17 days of competition next summer.
SPORT1 will provide a minimum of 45 hours of Games coverage across television, internet, radio and mobile platforms, with the majority being broadcast live. Live coverage of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will also be shown, in addition to highlight packages being made available.
The deal will also see SPORT1 broadcast the first European Games on free-to-air television in Austria and Switzerland, with an additional minimum commitment of 20 hours coverage shown on their pay TV channels.
Mr Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said: “We are delighted to announce that SPORT1 will broadcast the inaugural European Games in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, offering millions of European sports fans the opportunity to enjoy live coverage of this historic event.
“The signing of this agreement shows the high level of interest in the Games around the continent and ensures fans can follow their athletes’ achievements across a range of media platforms.”
SPORT1 will work closely with Baku 2015 host broadcaster International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) and will manage their production through teams based in Baku and Germany. This will result in high quality, localised productions to ensure the best and most relevant coverage is provided to viewers.
Mr Olaf Schröder, Chairman of the Management at SPORT1, said: “As a broadcaster of the first ever European Games, SPORT1 is taking on a pioneering role of promoting the event in three major broadcast territories.
“Only on SPORT1 will supporters in Germany be able to watch the world-class performances of our top athletes as they battle it out for medals in Baku.”
Mr Michael Vesper, General Director of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), added: “This is good news for our top athletes as well as for the millions of fans, and will help make Baku 2015 a success in Germany. We are very happy that the first European Games will be available to all supporters on free-to-air television on the leading German sports channel.”
The deal sees Germany, Austria and Switzerland join Turkey, Romania, Hungary and Belgium in already confirming broadcast commitments for the Games.
Mr Charlie Wijeratna, Commercial Director of Baku 2015, said: “SPORT1’s scheduling commitment and enthusiasm makes it a great platform for distribution in these three territories. The European Games are a major multi-sports event and we are looking forward to viewers being able to follow elite sport in the beautiful city of Baku.”
SPORT1 has over 20 years’ experience of providing leading sports coverage to viewers in Germany. By the end of the year it will have produced around 6,000 hours of coverage of major sporting events on its various platforms in 2014, including the recent ice hockey tournament at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
