BBC And Wimbledon Extend Partnership To 100-year Mark

The BBC has signed a three-year extension to its broadcast partnership with the AELTC, which will see the free-to-air broadcaster screen The Championships, Wimbledon, up to the end of the 2027 tournament.

The new agreement sees Wimbledon remain on free-to-air TV past the end of the current contract, which finishes in 2024.

It also sees the pair take their partnership up to the 100-year mark, with The Championships first broadcast on BBC radio in 1927. The first televised Wimbledon match, between Bunny Austin and George Rogers, took place in 1937, and so the broadcaster and rights holder will celebrate 85 years of TV coverage next year.

“Wimbledon has a special place in the hearts of the nation and with this extension we can continue our longstanding and valued partnership with the All England Club,” said Barbara Slater, Director, BBC Sport.

“Wimbledon on the BBC will continue to bring the nation must-see sporting moments free-to-air captivating audiences of all ages.” 

Mick Desmond, AELTC Commercial & Media Director, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have extended our historic partnership. The BBC is as synonymous with Wimbledon as strawberries and cream, and enables us to reach all corners of the UK through their outstanding production and network of platforms. 

“We are really looking forward to continuing to take this relationship from strength to strength, and celebrating 100 years together in 2027.”

This year’s Championships, meanwhile, were screened across the BBC’s suite of TV, radio, and digital channels, and the broadcaster says the 2019 men’s final reached a peak audience of 9.6 million on BBC One.

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