BBC adds depth to sports slate with new rights

MUMBAI: Channel 4 and the BBC in the UK have reached an agreement which will see the transfer of broadcast rights to the 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships pass to the BBC.

The BBC already has the broadcast rights to both the 2015 and 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

The agreement reflects Channel 4?s acquisition, this year, of any enhanced portfolio of major horse racing events from January 2013, including The Grand National, The Derby and Royal Ascot.

The acquisition of the 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championships will see the BBC continue in its extensive support of Olympic sports in the build-up to Rio in 2016 and which culminates in 2017 when the Championships will be held at the Olympic Stadium in London. It also adds to the breadth and depth of a current sports rights slate which includes major tournaments such as the Six Nations, Wimbledon, Formula 1 and The Open.

Channel 4 Director of Commercial Affairs Martin Baker said, ?Since the deal for the 2011 and 2013 World Athletics Championships was agreed in 2010, Channel 4 has acquired the rights to the major events of UK horse racing and the BBC has announced that it will broadcast the 2015 and 2017 World Athletics Championships.

?We are pleased to have reached a commercial agreement with the BBC for the 2013 Championships which reflects the changing nature of both broadcasters? sports portfolios.?

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said, "We are delighted to have secured the 2013 World Athletics Championships. It allows BBC Sport to build on the London 2012 Olympic legacy through coverage of the 2013, 2015 and 2017 World Championships. Added to the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2014 and the Rio Olympics in 2016 it will take the BBC audience on an Athletics journey from London 2012 to London 2017.?