Baku 2015 secures VGTRK as Russian rights partner

Russian state broadcaster VGTRK has acquired free-to-air and pay-television rights in the country to the 2015 European Games.

The inaugural edition of the multi-sport event begins in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 12 and runs through to June 28.

VGTRK will broadcast more than 10 hours of daily Games coverage via its Russia 2 free-to-air channel and Sport 1, Sport and Fight Club pay-television platforms.

Coverage will also be available via online sports video service Sportbox.ru and leading Russian sports website Vesti.ru.

Russia is sending a delegation of over 300 athletes to the European Games and Baku 2015 chief operating officer Simon Clegg hailed the agreement of a deal in a “pivotal” market.

Alexander Taschin, head of sports broadcasting at VGTRK, added: “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. For us, it is also important to broadcast the achievements of our national delegation, which will be the largest at the Games.”

Russia’s team features seven Olympic champions, including artistic gymnast Aliya Mustafina (pictured).