23.01.04
BBC
Worldwide wins international rights to UK Athletics
BBC
Worldwide and UK Athletics have agreed a new deal, giving BBC Worldwide
exclusive international TV distribution rights to the UK's top track
and field athletics events.
The
agreement with Fast Track, UK Athletics' commercial agency, marks
BBC Worldwide's first foray into track and field athletics.
The
portfolio of events* includes the prestigious Norwich Union London
Grand Prix from Crystal Palace, as well as the Grand Prix event
at Gateshead. In total, BBC Worldwide will be offering seven events
on an annual basis from the international athletics calendar, starting
with the Norwich Union International Indoor Match in Glasgow, on
Saturday, 24th January. This meeting sees Russia, Italy, Sweden
and a World Select team take on a team from Great Britain.
BBC
Worldwide's Sport Sales Manager, Richard Hornsby-Smith, commented:
"We are looking forward to working closely with UK Athletics
in marketing their events to new audiences around the globe. In
doing so, we expect to replicate the success we have enjoyed in
distributing other athletics events such as cross-country, and of
course, the Flora London Marathon."
Jon
Ridgeon, Director of Athletics at Fast Track added: "This initiative
will give the sport of athletics in the UK even broader global exposure
for the major domestic events. Our relationship with the BBC is
expanding all the time and we are excited by the possibilities that
this brings."
*The
full portfolio of events being distributed by BBC Worldwide is as
follows:
Indoor
- Norwich Union International - Glasgow - 24th January
Indoor - Norwich Union World Trials - Sheffield - 7/8th February
Indoor - Norwich Union Grand Prix - Birmingham - 20th February
Outdoor - Norwich Union British Grand Prix - Gateshead - 27th June
Outdoor - Norwich Union Olympic Trials - Manchester - 9-11th July
Outdoor - Norwich Union International - Birmingham - 25th July
Outdoor - Norwich Union London Grand Prix - Crystal Palace - 30th
July
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