BBC Extends World Snooker Tour Deal
The BBC has agreed a three-year extension to broadcast World Snooker’s three major tournaments until 2027.
The broadcaster’s current deal, which includes the World Championship, UK Championship and the Masters on TV and online, was scheduled run to the end of the 2023-24 season. The extension cements a long-term relationship between the sport and the BBC, having televised snooker since 1969.
The World Championship is currently taking place at the Crucible in Sheffield and receiving BBC coverage, with a peak audience of four million for the 2021 final.
The UK Championship takes place in York in November, while snooker’s other ‘Triple Crown’ event, the Masters, is staged at Alexandra Palace, London, in January.
World Snooker Chairman, Steve Dawson, said, “Snooker belongs on the BBC and it’s important for our sport to be seen by a massive audience.
“Millions of people enjoy snooker’s biggest events on the BBC and the quality of their production is outstanding. BBC’s coverage is an integral part of the rich history which surrounds our Triple Crown tournaments.”
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, added, “It’s wonderful news for snooker fans across the UK that the Triple Crown events will remain free to air.”
The news follows reports that legendary snooker commentators John Virgo and Dennis Taylor will leave the BBC. The familiar voices across live coverage of the World Snooker Championships, will no longer be part of things after the 2022/23 campaign. Virgo has been integral to BBC coverage ever since finishing his own professional career in 1994.
The BBC said, “The BBC are delighted to have John and Dennis as part of our snooker team and no decisions have been made past 2023 on what the wider team will look like.”
