UK pay-television broadcaster ESPN has renewed its rights to the British Darts Organisation World Professional Darts Championships to cover the 2013 event.
ESPN will sublicense rights from public-service broadcaster the BBC, which holds the rights to the Championships in a five-year deal with the BDO, from 2009 to 2013.
ESPN will show exclusive live coverage of the evening sessions from the first nine days, including the opening weekend, and the second semi-final on the Saturday of the concluding weekend. It will also show highlights coverage of the Sunday final. ESPN will also show live coverage of the women’s final and selected other matches.
The BBC retains exclusive live coverage of the opening weekend afternoon sessions, the first semi-final and the final. It will also show afternoon and late night highlights during the week. Coverage will also be available online.
Simon Potter, senior director, programming, ESPN, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Our first year broadcasting the competition this past January was a great success. We’re looking forward to being part of the wonderful atmosphere and excitement at the Lakeside as we continue to broaden our offering of live darts alongside other sports.”