The BBC has had discussions with BT about allowing the pay-TV net "to share its rights to screen Wimbledon tennis matches live" for the first time, according to sources cited by Spence & Fildes of the LONDON TIMES. The BBC has been the exclusive Wimbledon broadcaster in Great Britain "for nearly 80 years," and the event is thought to cost the net US$47-62.6M annually. Sources said that it is "too soon for details to have been hammered out," but BT is "believed to be keen" to the idea. With the BBC "fearing cuts to its license fee in the next round of funding negotiations in two years' time, it is considering cost-cutting measures, including commercial partnerships." Acquiring some Wimbledon matches "would be a huge coup for BT as it fights Sky for dominance of premium sports" (LONDON TIMES, 12/16). In London, Ben Rumsby notes the BBC and BT "already share coverage of the FA Cup and this year began jointly broadcasting the UK's pre-Wimbledon grass-court events." Wimbledon has "long been one of the crown jewels of the sporting calendar," and is one of the few events "to enjoy protected status under broadcast regulations, although that only applies to the finals weekend." The remaining matches "could be shown live on a subscription-only channel, provided highlights remained free-to-air." The BBC's contract with Wimbledon runs through '17, and any upcoming negotiations would include any "possible changes" (London TELEGRAPH, 12/16).
