BBC Commits to Free Live Wimbledon Coverage Through 2014

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and BBC Sport announced today a new five-year contract giving the BBC the rights to broadcast The Championships.

BBC has extended its current agreement with Wimbledon, the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament, for a further five years from 2010 to 2014.

The new contract sees coverage of Wimbledon come of age – the digital age – as BBC Sport provides audiences with unprecedented access to the tournament via cutting-edge digital services, across all platforms.

Specifically, for the first time, people will be able to catch all the key matches via BBC iPlayer, for up to seven days after broadcast, and have the opportunity to watch Wimbledon on mobile.

“Wimbledon is all about a unique blend of tradition and innovation,” said Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club.

“Our lengthy partnership with the BBC, which started in 1927, has been highly successful and we are delighted to extend that association up to 2014.

“Like the BBC, we are always looking to bring The Championships to a wider audience at the same time as improving the overall quality of the coverage.

“Through the latest digital technology Wimbledon fans can choose to stay in touch with all the drama and action in a way that suits them best.”

People in the UK, watching via broadband, will continue to be able to see all the action broadcast on television, including the extensive additional coverage offered behind the red button.

This new agreement also confirms that, for the duration of the contract, Centre and Number One Courts will be provided in HD, as part of the BBC HD channel. The contract also secures radio rights on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“The BBC is deeply proud of its historic ties with Wimbledon, but this new agreement is focused on delivering state-of-the-art digital services,” said Roger Mosey, BBC Director of Sport.

“The BBC’s Wimbledon coverage will range from high-definition transmissions from the show courts and greater choice of live action than ever before, through to on-demand highlights that you can watch on your PC or mobile.

“We’re determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and working with the Club to innovate across digital platforms.”

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