Baku 2015 to be broadcasted in Japan

/AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

Baku 2015 European Games signed a deal with Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) Television on November 5 to provide coverage of next summer's inaugural event in Japan.

The first European games will gather more than 6,000 athletes to compete on June 12-28, 2015.

The free-to-air channel has secured exclusive rights to the 17-day-competition including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as highlights packages across all of their domestic platforms.

Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said: "We are delighted to have confirmed this deal with TBS Television to ensure the European Games will receive exposure in the Japanese market."

"As a keen sporting nation, we are sure there will be significant interest in Baku 2015 so it is extremely pleasing to know fans will be able to tune in to the best of all the action," he said.

Executive Vice President of TBS Sports Masamichi Amano said: "The Baku 2015 European Games will be an historic event and we are proud to begin what we are sure will develop into a long and fruitful partnership.

"We look forward to presenting the inaugural European Games to our viewers across Japan and also introducing all that Baku has to offer the world."

The agreement is the latest secured by Baku 2015 and follows on from recently announced deals with the Arab States Broadcasting Union, which will see the European Games broadcast in 20 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and L'Equipe 21 which will show the event throughout France.

Commercial Director of Baku 2015 Charlie Wijeratna added: "This is the first deal we have announced with an Asian broadcaster and represents a significant step in achieving our aim of ensuring the inaugural European Games is broadcast in all five continents around the world."

TBS is a commercial broadcaster with a nationwide network including 28 affiliates across the country. The broadcaster also operates the general programming satellite channel BS-TBS and the 24-hour news channel NewsBird, as well as a nationwide radio network.

TBS has been the exclusive broadcaster in Japan of the IAAF World Athletics Championships since 1997 and is a member of the consortium of Japanese broadcasters which covers the Olympic and Olympic Winter Games, the FIFA World Cup and the Asian Games.

The broadcaster also serves as the home of The Masters, The PGA Championship, Major League Baseball and the FIVB World Volleyball Championships in Japan.