Perdita
27-10-2011, 13:12
Wimbledon will continue to be aired on the BBC until at least 2017 after the All England Tennis Club extended the broadcaster's deal by a further three years.
The Grand Slam tournament is among the "crown jewels" list of sporting events protected for free-to-air television, meaning there was little chance of Sky or other broadcasters picking up the rights.
The BBC has also broadcast coverage of Wimbledon since 1927 and was not expected to lose the event, despite cutting its budget for sports rights bidding by 15% in the Delivering Quality First cost-cutting initiative.
BBC Sport director Barbara Slater is quoted by PA News as saying: "The BBC's first ever live sport broadcast was from Wimbledon and we are proud that our new deal means the longest partnership in sports broadcasting continues.
"We know that Wimbledon fortnight has a very special place in the hearts of the UK public. We are delighted that our new agreement ensures coverage of the championships remains free to air and available to licence fee payers."
All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie added: "Wimbledon fans have been enjoying the BBC's broadcast coverage of the championships since 1927 and we are delighted to be extending this enduring and successful partnership for a further three years."
The BBC came in for strong criticism from viewers in August after agreeing a new deal to share the Formula One rights with Sky from next season.
The satellite pay-TV giant will screen all practice, qualifying and grand prixs live, while the BBC will only show 50% of the races, with the remainder being made available via a highlights package.
The BBC confirmed that the approach was designed to make savings on its £40m-per-year contract to show F1, but fans of the sport have complained about the loss of free-to-air coverage.
The Grand Slam tournament is among the "crown jewels" list of sporting events protected for free-to-air television, meaning there was little chance of Sky or other broadcasters picking up the rights.
The BBC has also broadcast coverage of Wimbledon since 1927 and was not expected to lose the event, despite cutting its budget for sports rights bidding by 15% in the Delivering Quality First cost-cutting initiative.
BBC Sport director Barbara Slater is quoted by PA News as saying: "The BBC's first ever live sport broadcast was from Wimbledon and we are proud that our new deal means the longest partnership in sports broadcasting continues.
"We know that Wimbledon fortnight has a very special place in the hearts of the UK public. We are delighted that our new agreement ensures coverage of the championships remains free to air and available to licence fee payers."
All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie added: "Wimbledon fans have been enjoying the BBC's broadcast coverage of the championships since 1927 and we are delighted to be extending this enduring and successful partnership for a further three years."
The BBC came in for strong criticism from viewers in August after agreeing a new deal to share the Formula One rights with Sky from next season.
The satellite pay-TV giant will screen all practice, qualifying and grand prixs live, while the BBC will only show 50% of the races, with the remainder being made available via a highlights package.
The BBC confirmed that the approach was designed to make savings on its £40m-per-year contract to show F1, but fans of the sport have complained about the loss of free-to-air coverage.