BBC ‘committed’ to Open coverage

The BBC has responded to reports suggesting that the UK public-service broadcaster is considering curtailing its rights deal for golf’s Open Championship by saying that it is “committed” to showing the next two editions of the event.

The Observer newspaper reported yesterday (Sunday) that the BBC is considering cutting short its agreement by giving up rights to the 2016 tournament.

Earlier this year, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which organises the annual event in Scotland, awarded rights to Sky in a five-year deal, from 2017 to 2021. The BBC will offer two-hour daily highlights.

The newspaper said that ending the deal one year early could save the BBC £7m (€7.4m/$10.6m).

A BBC spokesperson told the Press Association news agency: “We remain committed to our current contract with the R&A.”