| MUMBAI:
The Australian television network Nine has announced an all-star team of over
40 presenters, commentators and reporters for its telecast of the Melbourne 2006
Commonwealth Games from 15 March. Ray Martin, Liz Hayes and
Nicole Livingstone will host Nine's exclusive coverage of the Commonwealth Games
Opening Ceremony. Ken Sutcliffe will present the network's evening coverage
of the Games, with Mark Nicholas covering the afternoon sessions. The morning
programming will be anchored by James Brayshaw and Garry Lyon. Leila McKinnonm
will provide sports updates throughout the telecast. Nine's Commonwealth Games
coverage will commence with the special Countdown To The Games, a one-hour
special at 7:30 pm on 15 March, before the Opening Ceremony. Nine's commentary
team features a host of Commonwealth and Olympic Games greats such as Ray Warren
and Duncan Armstrong. Nine Network head of Sport and Commonwealth Games Gary
Fenton says, "This is an outstanding group of talented presenters, commentators
and reporters set to bring Australian viewers all the action and excitement of
the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games." Meanwhile, The All Asia Broadcast
Centre of Astro Malaysia will provide 650 hours of live and delayed telecast of
the Melbourne Commonwealth Games scheduled from 15 to 26 March. The coverage will
kick off with the opening ceremony on 15 March at 5:30 pm. Astro programming
director Zainir Aminullah said Astro subscribers would have the chance to watch
all the action in Melbourne via Astro Super Sports on Channel 80 at no additional
cost. In India, Prasar Bharati had bagged the 2006 Commonwealth games broadcasting
rights. The event will be available live on DD National and DD Sports. AIR will
broadcast running commentary of important matches and events. | 
