By Tom Degun

Glasgow 2014 picMarch 19 - Dubai-based broadcaster TAJ Television Ltd has are set to broadcast the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in India and neighbouring countries after being sold the rights for the event by the Organising Committee.


India is one of the biggest market places in the Commonwealth and hosted the last edition of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, marking the first time ever the country has staged the prestigous event.

TAJ TV has distribution across television channels including Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten Action, Ten HD and Ten Golf while the broadcast rights for Glasgow 2014 include both free-to-air and subscription television rights along with new media rights (incorporating internet and mobile) and radio rights.

Neighbouring countries where TAJ TV have the broadcast rights include the Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka and the Dubai-based broadcaster will work with the national free-to-air broadcasters in each country to enable them to broadcast the event.

The sale of broadcast right packages around the globe is a key part of Glasgow 2014's commercial programme which aims to raise £100 million ($151 million/€117 million) in revenue through licensing, merchandise and ticketing.

"A key aim of Glasgow 2014 is to ensure as many people as possible across the world can share the experience of an outstanding Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the sporting achievements of thousands of great athletes from across the world," said Glasgow 2014's chief executive David Grevemberg.

"The arrangement we have reached with TAJ Television to become one of our Broadcast Rights Holders is a strong indicator of the success of our commercial programme in this sector.

"Through TAJ's efforts, we look forward to sharing Scotland's biggest sporting spectacle with audiences across the continent."
 
Delhi 2010India staged the last edition of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010

Glasgow 2014 will see 4,500 athletes from 71 nations compete in 17 sports across the 11 days of competition.

It is anticipated that a total audience of 1.5 billion worldwide will experience Glasgow 2014's sports action and Opening and Closing Ceremonies through a wide range of international television and radio channels.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee," said Ten Sports chief executive Atul Pande.

"This acquisition is testament to our commitment to reach out to a wide audience base across the Indian subcontinent with the most interesting and compelling programming."

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive Mike Hooper has also welcomed the deal.

"We're delighted to welcome TAJ TV as the broadcast partner for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

"TAJ TV will broadcast the Games across India and the Indian sub-continent, where they already have an excellent track record in sports broadcasting.

"The commitment they have made to carry the 2014 Commonwealth Games will enable them to strengthen their position further by taking the excitement of the Games to millions of viewers."

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