The BBC has turned down the chance to become the host broadcaster of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
According to The Daily Telegraph, a report by Scotland’s public audit committee warned of lukewarm interest from the BBC in showing the event, and there was limited demand from other broadcasters.
At the time Glasgow won the 2014 Commonwealth Games the estimated cost of staging the event was reportedly 373 million pounds, but that has since increased to more than 523 million pounds.
At an inquiry by the committee, Glasgow 2014’s chief executive John Scott reportedly admitted that revenue projection from ticket sales have been downgraded. Organizers have also been forced to downgrade their revenue forecasts from the sale of broadcast rights after assuming that the BBC would be interested, reports Digital Spy.
If the BBC was the host broadcaster it would have supplied all the cameras, cabling and television infrastructure for the Games in return for comprehensive broadcast rights.
Scott said he will continue talks with the BBC to try to “persuade them of the value of the product”, but he also admitted “there would be little competition for the rights”.
Should the BBC opt out, Glasgow organizers would have to pay to hire private firms to provide the broadcast infrastructure.
A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said, “we are confident that our ticketing strategy will ensure that we meet our revenue and spectator targets. It is important to remember that Glasgow 2014 will come shortly after what will be a hugely successful Olympic Games in London”.
