The BBC holds Wimbledon's broadcast rights until '24.GETTY IMAGES
The All England Club "opened the door to future broadcast deals with Amazon" after two years of talks with the online retail and broadcasting company, according to James Benge of the London EVENING STANDARD. However, Wimbledon Commercial & Media Dir Mick Desmond insisted that Wimbledon's 90-year relationship with the BBC "remains hugely significant and valued." The BBC holds the rights to Wimbledon until '24 after agreeing to a new contract in '16. Since then, Amazon has entered the tennis market in "dramatic fashion," winning U.K. broadcast rights to the US Open and ATP Tour. Amazon's initial steps in the market "have not been without difficulties" -- its coverage from Flushing Meadows "drew hundreds of poor reviews from disgruntled viewers" -- but Amazon Prime Video European Managing Dir Alex Green on Wednesday insisted that the company is committed to the sport "for the long haul." The BBC's deal with Wimbledon "is the longest sporting partnership in broadcast history," dating back to radio commentary from Centre Court in 1927. The corporation now brings "hundreds of hours of content" across TV, radio and digital platforms (EVENING STANDARD, 10/10).
