Live Telecast of Commonwealth Games

Following channels will be telecasting Commonwealth Games live in respective countries:

(Read our Commonwealth Games opening ceremony coverage)

BBC: UK and online streaming (CLICK HERE)
India: Doordarshan
NZ: Sky
Australia: Foxtel (CLICK HERE)
Canada: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Click here for broadcasting schedule.

Australia wants to advance CWG opening ceremony

Two Australian TV channels that have purchased the sporting event's telecast rights are forcing the Organising Committee (OC) to advance the opening ceremony timing on October 3.

The OC has already requested the government to start the opening ceremony at 5.30 pm and instead of 7 pm as decided earlier. This is to suit primetime viewership in Australia.

The organizers and participants of 2010 Commonwealth Games are not amused. "The whole point of having laser shows and fireworks will be lost if it is going to be held in daylight. Such shows will only look good only after sunset," sources said. According to weather websites, the official sunset time for October 3 in New Delhi is 6.10 pm.

Another major reason against beginning the opening ceremony at 5.30 pm is a special tunnel that has been constructed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The 107-metre long tunnel, which leads to the centre of the stadium, is a surprise element. The audience will suddenly see artists in the centre of the stadium without knowing where they came from. This element of surprise would be ruined in broad daylight when the tunnel would be visible, the sources said.

"So much money has been spent on the tunnel. All that will be wasted if the timing is advanced" they added.

With the government having sanctioned close to Rs 150 crore for the opening and closing ceremonies, it's obvious that a lot of attention will be focused on these events.

Many artistes have already alerted the group of ministers ( GoM) in charge of the Games and they are expected to take a final call on the matter. Four months ago, it was the GoM that had approved the opening ceremony timing as 7 pm.

The Prasar Bharti officials are also unhappy about the Australian demands." The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on August 8, 2008, began at eight minutes past 8 pm. Four years ago, when the last Commonwealth Games was held in Melbourne, Indian artistes had wowed the audience with a wonderful performance at the closing ceremony," said a Prasar Bharti official who has been part of the official team during the last three Olympic and Asian Games.

Ironically, the opening and closing ceremonies at the Melbourne Games had started much after sunset.

"We should not allow the channels to dictate terms. So what if they have paid $300 million for telecast rights. We should stick to the original time," the official said.

At the Games opening ceremony, around 5,000 artistes from across the country are expected to be part of the show for which they will train close to five months.

After a lot of ruckus, permission was granted for the Army parade ground in Delhi Cantt to be used as housing station for these artistes.

The organisers will also spend close to Rs 5.5 crore on A. R. Rahman for the opening ceremony song.

The opening ceremony will also see a helium- filled balloon with special light effects. And it has cost a whopping Rs 40 crore.

"The timing issue is going be top priority for the GoM meeting next week," a top official said.

BBC to telecast Commonwealth Games

The BBC has announced that it has won the broadcasting rights for 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

(Read our Commonwealth Games opening ceremony coverage)

The Games will be available across TV, radio, online, iPlayer, mobile and new media outlets across the UK.

"We're delighted to have the exclusive rights for the UK," BBC Sport's head of major events Dave Gordon was quoted as saying on the BBC website.

"The Games mark another step for athletes across the world as they prepare for the 2012 Olympics."

"We have a rich history of covering the Commonwealth Games and are looking forward to bringing the best of the action to the UK public," he said.

With a total of 17 sports, the Commonwealth Games are considered the third largest multi-sport event in the world, behind the Olympics and the Football world cup.

A BBC spokesman insisted full precautions would be taken to protect the staff covering the event in Delhi, considering the security concerns in the subcontinent.

"We never discuss our security plans in advance, but we will naturally be taking all necessary steps, as we always do, to ensure the safety of all members of the BBC team," said the spokesman.

CWG OC working to ensure seamless broadcast

The three-day Second World Broadcasters Meet for the Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHB) of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi began here on Friday.

Prasar Bharati and Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi are hosting the meet.

Representatives of Network 10 and FoxTel (Australia), Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, Asian Broadcasting Union and Astro (Malaysia), Singapore Sports Council as well as Sky NZ and TV NZ (New Zealand) are attending the WBM along with Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Chairman Suresh Kalmadi informed the WBM that everything was on track to ensure seamless broadcast of excellent images to millions of homes round the Commonwealth.

Delivering the keynote address, he said Doordarshan had gathered some of the industry’s best TV professionals to ensure that Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi is an exceptional and memorable broadcast.

“SIS, which is a subsidiary of the BBC and needs no introduction to the broadcasters, is Doordarshan’s production partner. Similarly, Global TV Australia is partnering Shaf India in building the International Broadcasting Centre and delivering all the technical services needed there,” he said.

Kalmadi said the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi has hired experts in all areas that interface with the Rights Holding Broadcasters - technology, telecommunications, accreditation, transport, accommodation and logistics.

“All this will ensure that you will enjoy working during the Games and contribute to the overall success of Delhi 2010,” he said.

Doordarshan Director General Mrs Aruna Sharma, who welcomed the delegates from the RHBs, said every effort would be made to facilitate a great broadcast from the Games that will be held in Delhi from October 3 to 14.

Pakistan vs Aus: Hockey World Cup live

Watch live telecast of 2010 Hockey World Cup match between Australia and Pakistan. With Australia almost certain to make to semi-final, the match is of little consequence to the Oz. However, Pakistan will be playing for Pride.

Coming up: India vs South Africa. Click here to watch the game live.

Final score: Pakistan 1:2 Australia

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Watch live video on Delhi Commonwealth Games

Live India vs Spain: FIH World Cup match

Today it is a must win situation for both India and Spain to be in hockey world cup starting with Spain-India match. Both countries will look to win all the remaining three matches in order to keep itself safe in world cup.

5-Mar-2010: Watch Germany vs Argentina LIVE

It will take a lot of strategies and planning for India’s coach Jose Manuel Brasa to make the Beijing Olympics silver medalists lose. He also has to motivate his boys to deliver their best to continue the next lap at the Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup 2010.

From Pool B Australia and England are the front liners, therefore India need to improve its performance in the upcoming matches to make it to semi-final. We will bring live telecast of the match here on 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Final score: India 2:5 Spain

Watch live Hockey World Cup coverage on Commonwealth Games 2010

India vs Spain: LIVE Hockey world cup match

Today it is a must win situation for both India and Spain to be in hockey world cup starting with Spain-India match. Both countries will look to win all the remaining three matches in order to keep itself safe in world cup.

It will take a lot of strategies and planning for India’s coach Jose Manuel Brasa to make the Beijing Olympics silver medalists lose. He also has to motivate his boys to deliver their best to continue the next lap at the Hero Honda FIH Hockey World Cup 2010.

From Pool B Australia and England are the front liners, therefore India need to improve its performance in the upcoming matches to make it to semi-final. We will bring live telecast of the match here on 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Final score: India 2:5 Spain

Watch live Hockey World Cup coverage on Commonwealth Games 2010

Hockey World Cup: England vs Pakistan

England take on Pakistan in this crucial league game of 2010 Hockey World Cup. With stellar performance in last 2 shows, England are clear favorites.


WATCH India vs Spain Hockey World Cup match LIVE.

Pakistan will be looking to win this match to stay in contention for knock out stage.

Half time score: England 2:0 Pakistan

Full time score: England 5:2 Pakistan

With England taking clear lead in the group, there is a crowding happening for second spot. India and Spain have to fight out in their encounter today. Watch India vs Spain LIVE.

Watch live video on Commonwealth Games 2010

Live Hockey World Cup: India vs Aus

Watch India vs Australia Hockey World Cup Group-B match. India is on a high after beating Pakistan on 28-Feb. On the other hand, Australia would come into the game smarting from defeat against England in their tournament opener.

WATCH India vs England Hockey World Cup.

Half time report:
At half time, Australia took 3:1 lead over India. This one is going to be crucial for both to stay in the Hockey world cup.

10 minutes into the second half:
India is looking out of sorts as Australia pumped 2 more goals after second half.
Watch live video on Commonwealth Games 2010