BBC extends Open deal 15/07/2010 |
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The BBC has agreed a new deal with the Royal and Ancient (R&A;) to broadcast the Open golf championship until at least 2016.
The new contract means the BBC will continue as exclusive live television broadcaster, and also covers radio, online, interactive and iPlayer.
BBC director of sport Barbara Slater described the Open as "one of our most important crown jewel events".
This year's event begins today (July 15) and will be the first to be broadcast in high definition.
The new contract also covers further developments in technology, such as 3D.
"On 3D, all we're going to be doing there is watching developments in that market," said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A;, which organises the Open.
"I personally doubt that you're going to see general coverage of events in 3D in that timescale, but I might be wrong. It's not a big priority for us."
Dawson admitted selling the rights to a satellite broadcaster probably would have proved more lucrative.
But he added: "We all know the financial pressures that the BBC is under, but I'm very pleased we've been able to come to a commercially satisfactory settlement while at the same time bringing the championship to its widest audience.
"When you're spending a large amount of the commercial success in the Open in developing the game, it's hardly consistent, is it, to then show it to a restricted audience?"
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