BBC Sport has announced that it has won the rights to screen British athletics until the year 2004. UK Athletics 98, the new governing body for British athletics, has concluded a major deal with the BBC, thought to be worth around £17.5 million, for year round athletics coverage on radio and television.
The agreement includes new programming, marketing and promotional ideas. Alan Yentob, director of television for the BBC said: “Securing these important rights for United Kingdom athletics completes a circle of coverage for the BBC which is already heavily committed to world athletics. This is a real partnership and it marks a long-term committment to a sport which has broad appeal across age, gender and culture. We will be building on our experience which has brought such big viewing figures in the recent past – something Channel 4 was unable to offer.”
The development comes after Channel 4 snatched broadcasting rights for English Test Cricket matches away from the BBC (see Newsline).
BBC Sport: 0181 576 1871
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