There are “growing concerns among” senior IOC officials that the BBC's commitment to the Olympics “could end after the London Games, with protracted negotiations yet to seal a deal for broadcast rights beyond London 2012,” according to Paul Kelso of the London TELEGRAPH. IOC senior officials said that “they have genuine doubts about the corporation's approach to future Olympics” with the IOC “struggling to maintain the value of its television rights following the global economic downturn.” The BBC is “imposing 20 per cent budget cuts, placing its sports rights budget” of around US$489M annually “under severe pressure.” The “concern in IOC circles is that the BBC will not be able to match previous rights deals despite the boost it can expect to reap from London.” The BBC reportedly paid at least US$98M for the Vancouver Games and London Games rights as part of a collective deal, and “is reluctant to exceed that figure for 2014-16.” The IOC's “concerns come amid clear evidence that the cost-cutting regime is affecting the BBC's ability to compete for high-quality sport.” It will broadcast “only the final two rounds of the Masters live” this week, “having finally been muscled out of exclusivity by Sky.” The change “marks the end of an exclusive relationship with the Augusta National that began in 1967.” The BBC on Monday confirmed that it “had failed to tender for Football League and Carling Cup live rights from 2012-13.” There is also “growing speculation” that the BBC's US$326M five-year Formula One rights deal “could be abandoned” (London TELEGRAPH, 4/6).
LUCKY SEVENS: In Australia, Colin Vickery reports the Seven Network “has snatched up the rights to the Wimbledon tennis championships,” signing a multiyear deal “that compliments its coverage of the Australian Open.” The move “comes after Channel 9 dumped Wimbledon last July to free up cash for other sports events” (HERALDSUN.com.au, 4/4).
