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

The deal follows similar agreements with L'Equipe 21, the Arab States Broadcasting Union, SPORT1, DigiSport, Sport 10 and NTV Spor.

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

"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."

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 of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Japan since 1998 ©Getty Images



The company has been the exclusive broadcaster in Japan of the International Association of Athletics Federations 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 International Volleyball Federation World Volleyball Championships in Japan.

"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," said Masamichi Amano, executive vice-president of TBS Sports.

"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."

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