BBC agrees new Wimbledon contract
The Centre Court had no roof during its refurbishment in 2007 The new five-year extension will incorporate TV, radio, broadband and, for the first time, BBC iPlayer. “We are deeply proud of historic ties with Wimbledon, but this is focused on state-of-the-art digital services,” said BBC director of sport Roger Mosey.Digital viewers will again be able to enjoy extensive extra coverage of the Championships via the red button, which will also be available on broadband.Wimbledon
was first staged in 1877 and moved to its present site in 1922, with the BBC screening the event for the first time five years later. The new contract will also enable coverage of the two major courts, Centre and Number One, on the BBC’s Higher Definition (HD) channel. “We’re determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and working with the club to innovate across digital platforms,” Mosey added. Chief executive of the All England Club, Ian Ritchie, also welcomed the deal. “Like the BBC, we are always looking to extend the reach and coverage of Wimbledon and our expansion of digital services will continue apace with this deal,” he said.