BBC Plots Big Push for Live Sports

The BBC is planning to deliver more than 1,000 additional hours of live sports content for audiences each year through BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer.

The BBC is working closely with organizations such as the FA, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the International Tennis Federation, British Swimming and British Basketball, with the aim of broadcasting coverage from more than 30 additional sports or sporting events every year, including world, European and national championships. The group is hailing the move as its “biggest increase of live sport coverage in a generation.”

Tony Hall, BBC’s director-general, said: “This shows how we’re reinventing the BBC for a new generation. We’re giving people more of what they love by working in partnership with the sports industry and making the most of digital technology.”

Barbara Slater, head of BBC Sport, added: “We’ve seen the nation get behind a whole host of sports in recent years, especially at major events. We want to use BBC Sport’s live streaming service to showcase more of those moments that inspire people to take part. Put simply, it’s a huge expansion in the availability of free-to-air sport in the U.K.”