Wimbledon will remain on free-to-air television until at least 2033 after BBC on Thursday signed a new deal with the All England Club before the Championships start next week. BBC’s existing deal was due to expire after next summer and signing a six-year extension is a major boost for the corporation, as other than the men’s football World Cup, European Championship and Olympics, Wimbledon is the broadcaster’s biggest live sporting asset.
The All England Club has taken tentative steps towards embracing pay television in the UK in recent years and has sold secondary rights to the men’s and women’s finals to TNT Sports, but is not thought to have given serious consideration to breaking a relationship with BBC that began in 1927 with their first radio coverage from SW19.
TNT Sports, Sky Sports and Amazon Prime have acquired live rights for the other grand slams in recent years, but none can offer the reach and viewing figures guaranteed by BBC, which strongly promotes Wimbledon on its website, iPlayer and radio stations.
The Wimbledon men’s and women’s single finals are on the government’s crown jewels A-list of live sports events that must be made available free-to-air, but the rest of the Championships could be sold to a subscription service.
“We are delighted to extend our historic partnership with the BBC through to 2033,” said Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club. “For nearly a century, we have worked together to bring the magic of Wimbledon to generations of fans in the UK.
“This agreement reflects our absolute commitment to ensuring Wimbledon remains freely available to the widest possible audience across the nation, enabled by the breadth and reach of the BBC’s platforms, and their clear and continued ambition to enhance the audience experience.”
BBC is altering its Wimbledon coverage, with the long-serving commentator Andrew Castle stepping down next month after 24 years. Jamie Murray, who retired this year from playing, will form part of a new-look lineup that will include the former British No 1 Laura Robson, the 1992 Wimbledon champion, Andre Agassi, and the Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard. Coverage this year will again be spearheaded by Clare Balding and Isa Guha.
The International Tennis Federation, meanwhile, will now be known as World Tennis, with the sport’s global governing body outlining its ambitious vision to boost participation by 30%.
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Founded in 1913, the ITF sets and enforces the sport’s rules, regulates international competition and runs the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, tennis at the Olympic Games and the tournament levels below the main Tours. It also oversees the development and growth of the sport worldwide and, in announcing on Thursday the name change, pledged to reinvest 85% of all income it generates each year for the next decade.
Explaining the need for a change of name, the chief executive, Ross Hutchins, said it was about being recognisable and separate from organisations such as the men’s ATP Tour and women’s WTA Tour. “The ITF isn’t well known enough or isn’t understood enough by audiences that can have a difference and a positive impact to our game.”