Baku 2015 have announced they have signed a broadcast deal with Cuban television station ICRT ©Baku 2015

Baku 2015 have announced they have added to their growing list of broadcast partners for the inaugural European Games after they signed an agreement with Cuban television station Instituto Cubano de Radio y Television (ICRT).

The network, also set to be Cuba’s official broadcaster of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, reaches around 3.8 million homes in the Latin American nation.

The deal, the first in the region, marks another coup for Baku 2015 as Cuba joins the likes of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, India and the Arab world in securing rights to broadcast the first-ever Continental Games in Europe, which are due to run from June 12 to 28 in the Azerbaijani capital.

It also follows deals with a further six broadcasters from across Europe and Central Asia, and comes after Baku 2015 secured an agreement to have the Games screened on BT Sport in Britain.

Russia remain one of the last countries to not have a broadcast deal in place but Baku 2015 chief operating officer Simon Clegg expects more to follow across the world.

“This is our first broadcast deal in Latin America, but I am extremely confident that it will not be the last,” he said.

“Cuba is a country with a great sporting history, and I have no doubt that ICRT’s viewers will enjoy following the action in Baku.

“The Baku 2015 European Games will complement ICRT’s coverage of the Olympic Games perfectly.

“Twelve of the 16 Olympic sports to feature at Baku 2015 will offer qualification opportunities for Rio 2016, so there is a natural synergy there.”

The Cuban station are their nation's main Olympic broadcaster for Rio 2016
The Cuban station are their nation's main Olympic broadcaster for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

ICRT’s coverage continues the efforts of Baku 2015 to screen the European Games in as many parts of the world as possible.

“I have no doubt that the Cuban public will enjoy following this new important sporting event,” ICRT director general Roberto Gonzalez added.

“Our viewers are passionate about sport, and the Baku 2015 European Games will be a fantastic display of sport and inspiration alongside the Olympic Games in our portfolio of major international competitions.”

Around 6,000 athletes are due to descend on Baku and they will battle it out for medals in 20 sports, 12 of which will provide vital Olympic qualification opportunities.


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