By Duncan Mackay

Ten Sports have signed a dea to broadcast the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast ©CGFAnother television deal has been signed by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for coverage of Gold Coast 2018, with Dubai-based Ten Sports retaining the rights for the sub-continent broadcast rights.


It follows the announcement earlier this week of the multi-million pound deal with Seven Network for the broadcast rights in Australia. 

As for Glasgow 2014, Ten Sports has acquired free-to-air and payTV subscription television rights, plus those for new media, incorporating iInternet and mobile, and radio for Gold Coast 2018 across a wide-ranging territory including India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

As part of the agreement, Ten Sports will work closely with terrestrial broadcasters in each of the territories  to ensure that all 17 Commonwealth Games sports are enjoyed by as many viewers as possible across the continent.

The deal is another coup of Mike Hooper, chief executive of the CGF, who is stepping down tomorrow after 12 years. 

"Ten Sports coverage of Glasgow 2014 on multiple channels, with day-long studio shows and comprehensive analysis, has received a lot of praise and contributed to increased viewership in the Indian sub-continent," said Hooper. 

"This new agreement with Ten Sports reinforces this and them becoming another of our broadcast partners for 2018, as it does on the heels of the CGF's partnership announced earlier this week with Australia's Seven Network, is testament to how popular the Commonwealth Games brand has become across the world.

"It also demonstrates how the magic and excitement of the Games translates into immense value for broadcasters.

"Glasgow 2014 was a phenomenal success, and in 2018 the Gold Coast will deliver its own unique celebration to audiences around the globe."

Ten Sports Glasgow 2014 2
Ten Sports broadcast Glasgow 2014 to the sub-continent ©Ten Sports

Ten Sports is part of Taj Television Limited, who are based in Dubai Media City with eight regional offices across the sub-continent and are owned by Zee Telefilms, the second-largest Indian media and entertainment company based in Mumbai.

Ten Sports, established in 2002, is Asia's leading sports network operating five sports channels and claims to have a reach of more than 140 million households.

"After the enormous success of Glasgow 2014, we are very happy to extend our partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation for the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games to be held in Gold Coast, Australia," said Rajesh Sethi, global chief executive of Ten Sports. 

"The ever-increasing Indian participation and success at these Games is very encouraging and we at Ten Sports will continue delivering the best of action from the 17 sporting disciplines in the coming years which will serve as great build up to the Commonwealth Games 2018."

Ten Sports own long term broadcast rights for five cricket boards - South Africa,West Indies, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - and also shows some of Europe's leading football leagues, as well as covering major golf and tennis tournaments. 

Ten Sports coverage of Glasgow 2014 in India proved to be controversial after the country's Information and Broadcasting Ministry ordered it be shared with public service broadcaster Doordarshan because they considered the Commonwealth Games an event of "national importance".  

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Related stories
August 2014: Seven Network to broadcast Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia
March 2013: TAJ TV set to broadcast Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in India