A deal with the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company to show the European Games has been reached ©Wikipedia

A deal has finally been signed for the  inaugural European Games, due to open here on June 12, to be broadcast in Russia. 

The state-owned TV Channel Russia has been granted the network free-to-air and pay TV rights to show the event in Europe's biggest country who are expected to dominate the event and finish top of the medals table. 

The agreement will ensure that 53 million Russian households will have access to coverage of the Games, it is claimed. 

More than 10 hours of sporting action will be shown across a combination of Russia 2, which is free-to-air, and Sport 1, Sport, and Fight Club, which requires a subscription. 

There will also be online coverage on leading Russian sport websites Vesti.ru and Sportbox.ru.

“I am delighted that we have come to an agreement with TV Channel Russia to broadcast the first European Games in such a pivotal market," said Simon Clegg, the chief operating officer of Baku 2015. 

"The Russian Olympic Committee will be sending over 300 of their best athletes to Baku, and through our partnership with TV Channel Russia, we can be sure that the passionate Russian public will share in their experience through extensive coverage across all platforms.”

A deal for a Russian broadcaster to show the European Games has come only nine days before the Opening Ceremony in Baku
A deal for a Russian broadcaster to show the European Games has come only nine days before the Opening Ceremony in Baku ©Baku 2015

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the Games, including the Opening Ceremony. 

"The first European Games is a significant event in the sporting world due to the competition format as well as the fact that 12 sports offer qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games," said Alexander Taschin, head of sports broadcasting at the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK).

"For us, it is also important to broadcast the achievements of our national delegation, which will be the largest at the Games.

"Therefore we offer our viewers coverage of all events across the three sport channels which are part of the VGTRK ‘Digital TV’ package.”



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