BBC SPORT signs new long-term deal for Rugby League's Challenge Cup competition
BBC Television has re-signed the rights to Rugby League's most prestigious competition - the Silk Cut Challenge Cup - for a new five-year term beginning in spring 2000.
Following a similar recent agreement with BBC Radio 5 Live, primary rights to broadcast the Challenge Cup will remain exclusively with the BBC, as they have since broadcast coverage began in 1948.
Neil Tunnicliffe, chief executive of the Rugby Football League, said ' We are delighted that the Challenge Cup - now recognised as one of the crown jewels of sport following its inclusion as a 'listed event' - will continue to be accessible to every household in the country through this new deal. Relationships with the BBC have never been better, and the increase in the rights fee will enable us to expand our activities as never before, especially through investment in the grassroots of our sport.
Mike Miller, BBC Controller Television Sport, added: 'Following the recent five-year deal with Wimbledon, this is another welcome and long-term vote of confidence in the ability of BBC Sport to provide the best coverage to the biggest audiences. It was never a foregone conclusion. Rugby League is an important part of our portfolio of sport.'
The competition is played between February and May each year..
For further information, please contact:
Mike Hales,
BBC Sport Publicity
+44 181-225-9900
July 5, 1999
Following a similar recent agreement with BBC Radio 5 Live, primary rights to broadcast the Challenge Cup will remain exclusively with the BBC, as they have since broadcast coverage began in 1948.
Neil Tunnicliffe, chief executive of the Rugby Football League, said ' We are delighted that the Challenge Cup - now recognised as one of the crown jewels of sport following its inclusion as a 'listed event' - will continue to be accessible to every household in the country through this new deal. Relationships with the BBC have never been better, and the increase in the rights fee will enable us to expand our activities as never before, especially through investment in the grassroots of our sport.
Mike Miller, BBC Controller Television Sport, added: 'Following the recent five-year deal with Wimbledon, this is another welcome and long-term vote of confidence in the ability of BBC Sport to provide the best coverage to the biggest audiences. It was never a foregone conclusion. Rugby League is an important part of our portfolio of sport.'
The competition is played between February and May each year..
For further information, please contact:
Mike Hales,
BBC Sport Publicity
+44 181-225-9900
July 5, 1999