The significant deal will see guaranteed coverage of the inaugural European Games in 20 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee told.
The agreement means ASBU will offer free-to-air live coverage through its member broadcasters, with full Arabic commentary and highlights packages of the 17 days of competition also available.
The deal ensures coverage will be available in Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
“This is a major moment for the Baku 2015 European Games and we are very proud to have secured the agreement with ASBU to provide coverage across the Middle East and North Africa,” Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 said.
“This agreement is proof that interest in the inaugural European Games extends beyond the shores of our continent and we are confident that with more agreements in the pipeline that the European Games will attract a truly global audience.”
ASBU is a long-time Olympic Games rights holder with a focus on delivering top-quality sports coverage to their member broadcasters. They held the rights for the London 2012 Olympic Games and will also broadcast the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the region.
“It is a great honour to have secured this important deal with Baku 2015. The first European Games will be a thrilling celebration of sport that fans all over the Arab world will enjoy. We are looking forward to bringing this historic event and the exciting action to the entire region,” Mr Salah Eddine Maaoui, ASBU General Director said.
ASBU will work closely with Baku 2015 host broadcaster International Sports Broadcasting and will manage their production through teams based in Baku during the Games. Live coverage of the Baku 2015 Opening and Closing Ceremonies has also been agreed.
Broadcast members will also be screening the content across their entire digital platforms to ensure enhanced coverage of the European Games for viewers.
Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place on June 12 – 28, 2015.
There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.
Nine of the sports will offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Those sports include Archery, Athletics, Cycling, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon and Volleyball.
Baku was awarded the Games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012. The Baku European Games Operations Committee (BEGOC) will organise and run the Games in co-operation with the EOC.
The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) is one of the oldest pan-Arab institutions. ASBU provides important services to member broadcasters and to others, such as engineering and consulting services, radio and television exchange of news, programming and sports, as well as radio and TV training.
It also strives to acquire broadcasting rights at preferential rates for a number of competitions and sports events to the benefit of its members, as well as to ensure the appropriate broadcasting coverage of such events.
Internationally, ASBU enjoys a unique place among regional and international unions with which it maintains strong professional relations. ASBU is a very active member of the World Broadcasting Union (WBU).
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