ESPN, Wimbledon Sign Six-Year Television Contract Extension
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Apr 18, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
ESPN and The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club have finalized a six-year agreement for continued coverage of the Wimbledon Championships through 2013 featuring enhanced digital and international rights.
ESPN has televised an extensive Wimbledon schedule on its networks since 2003, plus Spanish-language coverage in the U.S. via ESPN Deportes.
ESPN2’s domestic schedule will include approximately 100 hours of coverage annually, including day-long live action, highlighted by one ladies’ and one gentlemen’s semifinal match, capped by highlights shows those two days.
“Wimbledon is a special place in the sports world, and we are proud to extend and expand our terrific relationship with the All England Club,” said John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president, content.
“We believe tennis fans will actively pursue and enjoy the offerings that this new agreement makes possible on ESPN’s growing multimedia and wireless platforms.”
Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club added: “We are delighted to be extending our association with ESPN. With this wide-ranging agreement, the huge international audience of Wimbledon and sports fans will continue to enjoy ESPN’s creative approach to bringing alive the stories and the colour of The Championships, while the development of multimedia and wireless platforms will allow fans an improved choice of how to access all the on- and off-court action and drama.”
In addition to continuing its extensive live coverage of Wimbledon action, ESPN will enjoy increased ability to provide Wimbledon content on its digital outlets and to fans beyond U.S. shores:
- ESPN may provide Wimbledon matches or content live or taped via ESPN360.com or any ESPN platform, including ESPNDeportes.com in Spanish. This includes ESPN’s television coverage, other matches on Centre Court or Court One during ESPN’s telecast windows, and press conferences;
- Wimbledon Central: An interactive and content-rich application on ESPN.com where users can access real-time Wimbledon scores, video highlights & stats.
- ESPN International’s rights include television and the above-mentioned online rights in all of Latin and South America (except Brazil) and the Caribbean, in English, Spanish and other relevant languages.
- ESPN360.com will be the exclusive broadband home of famed Centre Court and Court One, providing more than 200 hours of live coverage throughout the tournament.
- ESPNMobileTV will stream live more than 50 hours of ESPN2 coverage. Also, Verizon wireless customers with access to ESPN MVP can follow all the action throughout the championship via a dedicated sideline icon giving fans instant access to Wimbledon related news, scores, columns, blogs and video.
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