BBC to broadcast Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

All the action from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be broadcast exclusively in the UK on BBC television. 

Agreement between the Games organisers and the BBC will ensure the continuation of a long broadcasting association dating back to 1954.

In addition to securing the rights to broadcast the 2014 Games on TV, radio and online, the BBC has also agreed to work with the organisers on a number of fronts, including assistance in appointing a host production broadcaster.

The multi-million pound agreement will give the BBC exclusive audio-visual UK transmission rights along with non-exclusive audio rights across all platforms and all means of reception.

As well as showing all the sporting action form the Games, BBC Scotland will also show additional programming previewing the Games and its participants in the run-up period, including a number of cultural events planned as part of the overall package involving the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Queen's baton relay.

BBC Scotland's support for both the Olympic Games in 2012 and the Glasgow showpiece two years later was highlighted recently with the launch of a media apprenticeship scheme run in partnership with John Wheatley College and Skillset Scotland. It will result in 10 apprentices working with both the BBC and a number of broadcast companies over a year with the aim of providing sufficient media skills to allow them to provide some of the output.

The Director of BBC Scotland, Ken MacQuarrie, is relishing a return of the Games to Scottish soil: "BBC Scotland will have a special role at the heart of our coverage in giving the games extensive exposure in Scotland across our dedicated TV, radio and online services – all of which will help make the 2014 Games a truly momentous occasion in Scotland."

And Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, is equally enthusiastic: "We are proud to have broadcast every Commonwealth Games to the UK public since 1954 and we look forward to continuing the BBC's relationship with the Games in Glasgow." 

(Source : BBC Press release)