Production companies Sunset+Vine and Global Television have secured a deal to jointly serve as the host broadcaster for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The two companies will operate as a joint venture called SVGTV and will be responsible for producing coverage of all of the Games’ sporting events and the opening and closing ceremonies. The design, installation and operation of the international broadcast centre will also be managed by the joint venture.
Glasgow 2014 will be Australia-based Global Television’s third consecutive Commonwealth Games following similar roles at the 2010 Games in Delhi, India, and the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia.
UK-based Sunset+Vine produced UK commercial broadcaster Channel 4’s coverage of the 2011 International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, and will also co-produce the channel’s coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
“This is not just our largest contract, but it is also the contract that takes the Games to the world,” Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith said. “This will give a huge boost to Scotland’s creative industries as a whole with at least 1,000 jobs becoming available at Games-time either behind or in front of camera. By creating jobs for at least 120 students, we hope to leave a positive and lasting effect on the media industry in Scotland.”
According to previous reports, UK public-service broadcaster the BBC turned down the opportunity to become Glasgow 2014’s host broadcaster, but agreed to assist the organising committee in appointing a production company.