UK pay-television broadcaster BSkyB has acquired rights to the National Badminton League, a new competition launched today by the Badminton England governing body.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Badminton England said the NBL will be shown live on Sky Sports.
The organisation added all matches from every matchnight will also be available via digital streaming in the UK and across the world.
As the first ever national badminton league in the UK, the NBL aims to attract new and regular sports fans and grow the profile of the sport.
The NBL will consist of six franchised teams featuring the UK’s best players and new, emerging talent. The first season will consist of successful franchise applications from Birmingham, Derby, Loughborough, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Surrey.
The NBL begins on October 6 with monthly matchnights through to April 2015. This will then be followed by a one day knockout competition featuring the top four teams in June 2015.