UK media regulator Ofcom is analysing a proposed deal that would result in international sports broadcaster Eurosport becoming the first commercial entity to televise live coverage in the UK of the Wimbledon tennis grand slam.
UK newspaper The Guardian said Eurosport has finalised details with the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which operates Wimbledon, to air the tournament from 2016 to 2020. As part of the deal Eurosport has been holding talks with existing rights-holder, public-service broadcaster the BBC, and Ofcom to gain consent.
Under the proposed deal Eurosport will simultaneously broadcast live coverage of the final with the BBC, along with evening highlights timed not to clash with the corporation’s own nightly programme.
Speaking at a press conference during the French Open in Paris, Eurosport chief executive Peter Hutton said he could not yet confirm a deal, but added that an agreement in principle has been reached with the BBC and is now awaiting approval from Ofcom.
The proposal is outlined on Ofcom’s website. It reads: “The BBC will broadcast live coverage and highlights of finals and non-finals play on BBC1 and BBC2, which are qualifying services, and additionally on their radio services (including BBC 5 Live) and interactive streams.
“Discovery will broadcast live coverage and highlights of the finals and non-finals play on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2, which are non-qualifying services, and additionally on their interactive streams.”
Ofcom has put the proposal out to consultation until June 15. The 2016 Wimbledon Championships is due to commence on June 27.
The BBC in September renewed a rights deal for the Wimbledon Championships to keep the tournament on free-to-air television. The renewal with AELTC will run for three years, from 2018 to 2020.
The deal extended the longest partnership in sports broadcasting history, with the BBC having first broadcast from Wimbledon in 1937.