BBC make last-gasp decision on The Open coverage that will affect millions
The BBC has made an unexpected return to golf broadcasting by securing a three-year contract for Open Championship highlights just days before the tournament begins at Royal Portrush.
The agreement with the R&A also encompasses Women’s Open coverage, beginning with this month’s championship at Royal Porthcawl.
This marks a significant reversal for the corporation, which has demonstrated minimal enthusiasm for golf in recent years.
The BBC ended its long-standing live Open coverage arrangement with the R&A twelve months early in 2016, allowing Sky Sports to acquire exclusive live broadcasting rights.
The broadcaster had chosen not to extend its previous highlights agreement when it concluded last year.
The highlights programmes are scheduled for prime-time viewing, with broadcasts at 9pm on Thursday and Friday, shifting to 10pm for the weekend rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
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The three-year arrangement represents a boost for both the R&A and golf enthusiasts who had lost free-to-air coverage options.
The timing of the BBC’s bid has caught many by surprise, coming so close to the tournament’s start.
Neither the BBC nor the R&A have provided official comment on the agreement, though a formal announcement is anticipated within days.
The new contract ensures terrestrial television coverage returns for one of golf’s most prestigious championships.
The presence of Rory McIlroy competing on his home course appears to have played a crucial role in the BBC’s late change of heart.
The reigning Masters champion’s participation at Royal Portrush is expected to generate heightened interest amongst casual viewers in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The corporation’s decision comes after what some insiders have acknowledged was a misstep in failing to broadcast any highlights of McIlroy’s Augusta triumph earlier this year.
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The Open presents a more appealing proposition for the BBC compared to American tournaments, with earlier finish times in the UK promising larger potential audiences.
This week’s coverage allows the BBC to rectify its absence from McIlroy’s Masters victory.
Sky Sports will retain exclusive live coverage of the championship and is set to enhance its broadcast with aerial footage for the first time at a UK Open.
The broadcaster has secured permission to deploy both drone and camera plane technology at Royal Portrush this week.
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Such aerial coverage has become standard at American majors and PGA Tour events, but UK regulations have historically been more restrictive regarding drone usage.
The R&A’s successful application for permission marks a breakthrough for golf broadcasting in Britain.
This technological advancement will provide viewers with new perspectives of the Northern Irish links course during Sky’s live coverage.