SVG Europe correspondent The BBC has secured another significant sports broadcasting contract, extending its relationship with the All England Club for coverage of Wimbledon tennis for a further five years. This year's programmes will be available in HD and, for the first time, on Internet view again and mobile platforms. Wimbledon fortnight is a long-standing and key part of BBC schedules and has been used as a test bed for a number of new technologies, including colour transmissions, high definition and surround sound. This year the matches on Centre and Number One Courts will be shown on the BBC HD channel but the big innovation is in new media. Important games will be available on BBC iPlayer, allowing viewers to watch using their computers for up to a week after the original transmission. This expanded coverage also extends to mobile services, while broadband viewers will be able to watch extra programmes produced during the tournament using the red button. Roger Mosey, director of BBC Sport, commented, "The BBC is deeply proud of its historic ties with Wimbledon but this new agreement is focused on delivering state-of-the-art digital services. We're determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and are working with the [All England] Club to innovate across digital platforms." The chief executive of the All England Club, Ian Ritchie, added, "Our lengthy partnership with the BBC, which started in 1927, has been highly successful and we are delighted to extend that association up to 2014. Through the latest digital technology Wimbledon fans can choose to stay in touch with all the drama and action in a way that suits them best." The Wimbledon deal also covers radio rights for Radio Five Live and follows the BBC last week regaining the exclusive contract to broadcast the Formula 1 Grand Prix season from next year. © Copyright 2006-2009 sportsvideogroup |