UK sports production and media company Sunset+Vine has extended its lucrative production deal with pay-television broadcaster BT Sport.
The partnership, initially signed for three years in 2012, will run until at least 2018 under a two-year extension covering the 2016-17 and 2017-18 sports seasons.
Sunset+Vine’s partnership with BT Sport brings in excess of £35m (€49.3m/$54.32) in sales annually, according to The Guardian newspaper, which states the initial contract was worth between £100m to £132m. The Daily Telegraph added that it is the biggest live production contract in British television.
BT Sport’s coverage of the Premier League, the top division of English football, and rugby union’s top-tier English Premiership is produced by Sunset+Vine, along with the Uefa Europa League European club football competition for the 2015-16 season.
“The original deal was transformational for Sunset+Vine and we’re delighted to continue,” Jeff Foulser, chairman of Sunset+Vine, said in a statement.
The new deal ends speculation over the future of BT Sport and Sunset+Vine’s relationship after the broadcaster decided to produce coverage of its newly-acquired Uefa Champions League rights in-house. Foulser added: “It shows the mix of in-house and quality independent production works.”
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “I am extremely pleased that we will be continuing our successful partnership with Sunset+Vine. They have been a valued partner from day one, bringing great creativity. We are impressed with their commitment to delivering high quality productions that not only benefit our business, but are also highly entertaining for our viewers.”