World Snooker Extends Broadcast Agreement With BBC - 12/01/2011
Snooker's biggest domestic tournaments will be shown on the BBC for at least another three years thanks to a new agreement with World Snooker.
The deal sees the BBC continue as host broadcaster of the World Championship, the UK Championship, the Masters and the Welsh Open until the end of the 2013/14 season.
The World and UK Championships and the Masters will be given network coverage, while the Welsh Open will again be screened on BBC Wales.
World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: "We are absolutely thrilled to extend our partnership with the BBC for a further three years. It's a great day for our sport; for the administration, the players, and most of all the fans, who are guaranteed many hours of uninterrupted coverage of snooker on a free terrestrial channel. Last year, 18.7 million people watched at least 15 minutes of the World Championship, which proves that there is a great appetite for the sport in the UK.
"The World Championship, which has been extensively covered by the BBC every year since 1978, as well as the Masters, the UK Championship and the Welsh Open have become part of the sporting fabric of the nation. These events are among the jewels in the crown of the sporting calendar and it is fantastic that they are to remain on the BBC.
"Snooker has come a long way over the past year with new tournaments, new sponsors and new broadcast deals. This agreement with the BBC strengthens our foundations and allows us to keep pushing forward with the sport's new era."
Current World Champion Neil Robertson said: "It's exciting news for the players. The BBC has played such an integral part in the growth of snooker over the past few decades and it's great to know we'll still be shown on terrestrial TV and watched by millions of fans for at least another three years."
Legend Stephen Hendry added: "Ever since I've played snooker, the BBC has been the main broadcaster for our sport. The biggest tournaments belong on the BBC so it's excellent news that we've extended the deal."
BBC Director of Sport Barbara Slater said: "We're delighted to have renewed our partnership with World Snooker. The BBC has a proud history of coverage of top class snooker and we're looking forward to continuing to bring the highest quality coverage to our audiences."
BBC Wales Head of Sport Geoff Williams said: "BBC Cymru Wales is delighted to continue our coverage of the Welsh Open. Wales has always been recognised as a hotbed of snooker, with players like Ray Reardon, Terry Griffiths and Mark Williams being World Champions in the past, and we look forward to welcoming the world's top players to the Welsh Open in future years."
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