Wimbledon 2016 (being shared with Eurosport)

Ofcom has received requests from the BBC and Discovery Networks for consent to broadcast live coverage of the Wimbledon Championships for 2016 - 2020.

The Wimbledon Championships Finals and Non-Finals play are, respectively, Group A and Group B listed sporting events under the Broadcasting Act 1996. The rules which apply are set out in the Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events.

The BBC and Discovery will be sharing coverage of the Wimbledon Championships. The BBC will broadcast live coverage and highlights of Finals and Non-Finals play on BBC One and BBC Two, which are qualifying services, and additionally on their radio services (including BBC Five Live) and interactive streams. Discovery will broadcast live coverage and highlights of the Finals and Non-Finals play on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2, which are non-qualifying services, and additionally on their interactive streams.

In accordance with section 101 of the Broadcasting Act 1996, Ofcom's consent is needed. Any comments that interested parties would like to make should be sent to Ofcom at the address below, by e-mail or in writing. Unless confidentiality is requested, all such comments will be available to view on Ofcom's website after the consultation has closed.


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BROADCASTING on STAKEHOLDERS.OFCOM.ORG.UK
19-May-2016 @ 10:42

[[Mod edit to fix link]]

So what's the difference between 'qualifying services' and 'non-qualifying services'?

If this is approved, Eurosport will be the only broadcaster to offer coverage of all four tennis grand slams in the UK.

Strange this wasn't mentioned in the contracts renewal announcement last year - can't think why?

In other words, the BBC can't use the term 'live and exclusive' when talking about Wimbledon coverage in the UK.

Charlie Sale of the Daily Mail is already cracking his knuckles at his laptop, ready to fire off another anti-BBC sport rant tomorrow.

Be interested to see what 'exclusive match coverage goodies' Eurosport get off the BBC with this announcement. Suspect come the second week, games that would usually played on court 1 and shown on BBC Two, may be shown on Eurosport 1 exclusively live.

Hmmm. I'm not sure. There's certainly no indication in the Ofcom request that either broadcaster will have any 'exclusive' coverage. But reading back at the press releases from last September, the word 'exclusive' wasn't mentioned.

I suppose there's a chance that the BBC will have non-exclusive live coverage of Centre and No 1 Court (which would involve using interactive services when only one linear channel is available), with Eurosport sharing the show courts and having exclusive dibs on the outside courts throughout.

It's to do with the so-called 'crown jewels' listed events. Qualifying services are subscription-free and available to at least 95% of the population.

Thanks for that. I assumed as such, just wasn't familiar with that terminology.

Hmm, I am hoping against hope that it is just a simple simulcast (i.e. both Eurosport and BBC have the rights to show what they want on any channel they want) - presumably that would still require Ofcom approval because it is the showing of a listed event on a non-qualifying service. It would then be approved because the event is still available in totality on a qualifying service, but they'd still need to jump through the hoop, right?

Surely, they aren't sneaking a French Open-esque deal in through the back door?!?!

Really hope this isn't as pathetic as the Olympic deal. I've no issue with a simulcast (though the BBC should be after something in return - i.e. the Australian Open) but anything which diminishes choice is a bad move. Thanks to the BBC coverage of such events isn't about BBC1 or BBC2 - it's about choice, and whilst there are obviously diminishing returns with every additional feed added, dropping down to anything less than 6 courts available on the BBC through to the 4th round is really screwing the licence fee payer.

Well, now you mention the Olympics deal - I'm starting to wonder, if there may be some sort of backdoor arrangement tied up to the Wimbledon coverage and Eurosport.

Eurosport "Hello BBC, please let us have some live and delayed coverage from SW19, We are already broadcasting from the tournament to other territories, and the UK and Ireland market is the one we would really like to nail to finish the set (if you excuse the pun).
Consider giving us the occasional match which you would hide behind the red button, or put out on BBC Two. I think that could work.
Also remember, we have the Olympics..."

BBC Sport "Err. OK, we'll have to go through the usual channels, Ofcom etc, because it's a listed event - but what would you give us in return for allowing you to play with our UK marbles?"

Eurosport "What would you like?"

BBC Sport "Well, with the Olympics, you have to give us 200 hours of live or delayed coverage for the summer games and 100 for the winters, as the IOC require - so, what say you give us 250 hours of summer and 125 hours of the winters - and put the phone down if ITV or Channel 4 ring up to offer some interest in the UK secondary rights?"

Eurosport "Hmmm... Interesting"

An interesting theory but I think what closed the Olympic deal was the BBC offering a share of 2018 & 2020. Rather than a 'backdoor' deal as such both parties realised that having closed that deal they should look for others where a 'partnership' could be of mutual benefit.

You mean the deal that ensured the coverage that 90%+ of viewers watch will continue to be available commercial free until at least 2024? That was achieved in the face of Discovery having bought exclusive pan European rights with no chance of a counter bid. That's a 'pathetic' deal is it? What did you expect the BBC realistically to get?