ISB to put Baku 2015 European Olympic Games on air
By Nigar Orujova
The International Sport Broadcasting (ISB) has been announced to be the host broadcaster of the Baku 2015 European Olympic Games, the event's organizing committee reported.
It was also reported that the Olympic broadcasting legend Manolo Romero is joining the Baku 2015 European Olympic Games.
ISB was founded by Romero in 1996. He has been in charge of host broadcasting services for seven Olympics, including the London Olympics. Romero is known as the world`s authority on broadcast coverage of the Olympics.
According to the committee, ISB will be in charge of 1,200 hours of broadcasting including all sports, the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the evening entertainment at the Victory Celebration Plaza.
ISB will also manage the sale of broadcasting rights for the European Games.
"Having a comprehensive broadcast offering is an important part of our strategy to make the inaugural European Games a success, and in ISB we have the perfect partner," the committee CEO Azad Rahimov said.
"This is very positive news, not only for the inaugural European Games in Baku in 2015 but also for the long-term sustainability of the European Games," EOC president Patrick Hickey added.
"It shows that the European Games is a viable product that can command significant TV audiences, in Europe and around the world. In turn, this will help attract serious commercial partners for future editions," he said.
The first European Games will see more than 5,400 athletes from all the 49 Olympic nations of Europe compete in 18 sports, including new formats and disciplines featuring for the first time at a major European sports event, such as basketball 3x3.
The games will start on June 12, 2015.