ISB to retain European Games role for Minsk 2019

Madrid-headquartered International Sports Broadcasting has retained its position as the host broadcaster of the European Games by seeing off competition from two other companies for the contract for next year’s edition of the multi-sport event.

ISB served as the host broadcaster for the inaugural European Games, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2015.

A tender for the contract to the 2019 Games, which will be staged in Minsk, has been run by the local organising committee, the Belarussian Olympic Committee, Belarus National State TV and Radio Company, as well as certain government ministries and departments.

ISB entered an offer for the contract alongside Portuguese production company Media Luso-Mediapro and Russian state-backed broadcaster Match TV.

Minsk 2019 said “great attention” was given to the reputation of the companies, their marketing appeal, the possibility of further implementation of media rights, financial guarantees and legacy.

Anatoly Kotov, deputy chief executive of Minsk 2019, said: “The decision is made. Now the management of the second European Games and ISB company are preparing a formal contract. This process is very painstaking and will take about two months.”