UK Athletics Set To Sign New BBC Deal
Governing body UK Athletics has reportedly signed a six-year TV rights deal with the BBC, providing a much-needed boost in the wake of the announcement of a cut in elite athlete funding for the sport ahead of London 2012.
The rights contract covers TV, radio and online rights to UK Athletics’ competitions and events until 2014 and renews the governing body’s long-standing relationship with the BBC which has been in place since the formation of UK Athletics in 1999.
The reported new deal, believed to be worth several million pounds to UK Athletics, comes after the sport was dealt a blow in the UK Sport announcement of allocations for elite-level funding in the build up to London 2012.
Athletics was one of the losers in the unveiling of the allocations, having their elite funding cut by £1.4m following a disappointing Beijing Games in terms of medal count.
It is thought that the BBC has held off competition for the UK Athletics contract from rival terrestrial broadcaster ITV.
The deal means the BBC will continue to televise the annual indoor international match and indoor Grand Prix, as well as the two summer Grands Prix and the UK Championships and trials – all of which are sponsored by UK Athletics’ primary commercial partner Aviva.
The BBC is believed to also have first option on a new Twenty20-style version of athletics which is being developed in conjunction with the O2 Arena in Greenwich.
Reports suggest there are also plans for a ‘Super Eight’ series of athletics competitions between eight city franchises, which could be rolled out as early as next summer.
