The BBC plans to "increase its annual sports coverage" by up to 1,000 hours, according to Stuart Stone of the MORNING ADVERTISER. The broadcaster's decision is expected to offer U.K. pubs an opportunity to "increase and diversify their existing sports coverage as well as a chance for pubs with less experience of showing sport to dabble." While "prized" sporting assets including Wimbledon and the FA Cup will benefit from greater coverage, more than 30 additional sports and events -- such as Women's Super League football, the Rugby League Challenge Cup and the British Basketball League -- will be available via the BBC's expanded streaming services. MatchPint co-Founder Dominic Collingwood said, "This is great news, particularly for pubs that want to dabble rather than heavily invest, in sport. Many operators have told us they'd like to show more sport but are put off by two factors. First, showing sports on Sky Sports and BT Sport requires an investment that some can't justify. Second, especially for pubs with a premium food focus, there's a perception that 24/7 sport on TV discourages diners and families from visiting regularly" (MORNING ADVERTISER, 11/7).
WORLD TOUR FINALS: The BBC will continue to broadcast the ATP World Tour Finals after agreeing to an extension to the current deal for the '19 and '20 tournaments. The deal is for exclusive free-to-air TV rights for eight singles matches, including a semifinal and the final, plus streaming on online platforms. The BBC will also have non-exclusive radio rights for the tournament and ATP Masters 1000 matches. The '17 finals take place in London from Nov. 12-19, live on the BBC (BBC).
