sports
Wimbledon to remain free-to-air TV until at least 2033 after new deal with BBC
Wimbledon will remain on free-to-air television until at least 2033 after the BBC on Thursday signed a new deal with the All England Club before the Championships start next week. The BBC’s existing deal was due to expire after next summer and signing a six-year extension is a major boost for the corporation, as other than the men’s football World Cup, European Championship and Olympics, Wimbledon is the broadcaster’s biggest live sporting asset.
TL;DR
- The BBC has signed a new deal with the All England Club to broadcast Wimbledon until at least 2033.
- This extension is a major boost for the BBC, as Wimbledon is one of its most significant live sporting assets.
- While the men's and women's finals are protected on free-to-air, other parts of the championships could potentially be sold to subscription services.
- The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will now be known as World Tennis.
- World Tennis aims to increase global participation in tennis by 30% and will reinvest 85% of its annual income for the next decade.
- The rebranding is intended to make the governing body more recognizable and distinct from organizations like the ATP and WTA.