The official opening title sequence for the inaugural European Championships was unveiled ©European Championships

Broadcasters BBC and ARD-ZDF have offered insight into their plans for the inaugural 2018 European Championships in Glasgow and Berlin.

European Broadcasting Union (EBU) director of sport Stefan Kuerten revealed that more than one billion people in Europe will be able to watch the action as agreements have been reached with almost 40 different broadcasters.

This includes with the BBC in the United Kingdom, ARD/ZDF in Germany, France Televisions in France, RAI in Italy and TVE in Spain.

Viewers will be able to enjoy up to 300 free to air hours of programming across television, radio and online, with an anticipated 2,700 hours of television coverage in all.

"There is no doubt that we will be giving the 2018 European Championships the BBC 'big event' treatment, like we do for the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup and, as you have just witnessed, the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships," said Ron Chakraborty, the lead executive of major events at BBC Sport.

The official opening title sequence for the inaugural European Championships was also unveiled at the event. 

Broadcasters worked with British and German design agencies to create the sequence ©European Championships
Broadcasters worked with British and German design agencies to create the sequence ©European Championships

Organisers from both Glasgow and Berlin, the EBU, BBC and ARD-ZDF, worked together with British and German design agencies to create the titles.

It is claimed they represent the "coming together of the seven sports and two host cities in a truly ground-breaking partnership".

"We want to thank the participating European Sports Federations for helping us create a very reliable and TV-friendly time schedule because that has been vital for us," added Carsten Flügel, ARD-ZDF programme officer.

"We are very happy that these different sports have come together to make a united European Championships."

The inaugural event will see existing continental competitions in aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon held in Scottish city Glasgow at the same time, while athletics will take place in German capital Berlin. 

Around 3,000 athletes are due to compete in Scotland between August 2 and 12, while a further 1,500 athletes will participate from August 7 to 12 in Berlin.

It is hoped that holding the different European Championships simultaneously will increase their exposure and prestige.