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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> BBC to give up exclusive rights to Wimbledon? http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1418744153 Message started by JohnW on Dec 16^th, 2014, 3:36pm

Title: BBC to give up exclusive rights to Wimbledon?
Post by JohnW on Dec 16^th, 2014, 3:36pm

TVBEurope reports:
"The BBC could give up its right to exclusively broadcast the Wimbledon championship and instead share coverage of the event with BT. Senior BBC executives have held talks with BT, and the broadcaster is reconsidering its coverage of the annual tournament, in an effort to cut costs in preparation for a further cut in the license fee.

If the plans come to fruition, some matches would only be available to subscribers of the pay-TV channel."

It reportedly costs the BBC up to £40 million a year to broadcast the championship, but fears of further cuts to the license fee in 2016 has led to an examination of where possible cost savings could be made.
The BBC previously decided to share its exclusive Formula One rights with Sky. It's also rumoured that ITV will bid for the right to show Premier League Football highlights on Saturday night (which MOTD currently holds).

The Wimbledom championship is one of several sporting events (which include the Olympic Games, football’s World Cup and the European Championship, as well as The Grand National and The Derby) which were granted 'protected status' under Ofcom broadcast regulations, although that only applies to the finals weekend of the tennis tournament.

What next, I wonder?!?!