WBT Celebrates New BBC TV Agreement
The world of indoor bowls has received a major boost today (Friday) with the revelation that BBC Television and the World Bowls Tour have reached a new three-year agreement to cover the major WBT events from November 2005 until January 2008.
The agreement, a record deal for bowls which includes coverage of the Potters Holidays World Championships and BUPA Care Homes Open, follows the current three-year contract which ends in January next year.
The announcement also coincides with live BBC TV coverage from Ponds Forge in Sheffield of the BUPA Care Homes Open, the opening event of the new 2004/05 WBT season.
'This is fantastic news for bowls enthusiasts everywhere,' said WBT Chief Executive Nigel Oldfield. 'It's a powerful indication that the revolutionary changes we introduced three years ago, including coloured bowls, the portable blue rink, and the new scoring system including tie-breaks, have all combined to make the game more appealing to television audiences.
'We are delighted to renew our very successful partnership with BBC TV - especially so far ahead of the renewal date - and look forward to working closely with the organisation to enhance further our product over the coming years,' Oldfield added.
Barbara Slater, BBC TV's Head of General Sports, added: 'We are delighted to renew our association with the World Bowls Tour. We know there is a very committed and enthusiastic audience for bowls, and we are pleased to be able to bring bowls to terrestrial audiences.'
For more details contact:
Howard Harding
Tel: +44 (0)7773-325130
HowHard@aol.com
The agreement, a record deal for bowls which includes coverage of the Potters Holidays World Championships and BUPA Care Homes Open, follows the current three-year contract which ends in January next year.
The announcement also coincides with live BBC TV coverage from Ponds Forge in Sheffield of the BUPA Care Homes Open, the opening event of the new 2004/05 WBT season.
'This is fantastic news for bowls enthusiasts everywhere,' said WBT Chief Executive Nigel Oldfield. 'It's a powerful indication that the revolutionary changes we introduced three years ago, including coloured bowls, the portable blue rink, and the new scoring system including tie-breaks, have all combined to make the game more appealing to television audiences.
'We are delighted to renew our very successful partnership with BBC TV - especially so far ahead of the renewal date - and look forward to working closely with the organisation to enhance further our product over the coming years,' Oldfield added.
Barbara Slater, BBC TV's Head of General Sports, added: 'We are delighted to renew our association with the World Bowls Tour. We know there is a very committed and enthusiastic audience for bowls, and we are pleased to be able to bring bowls to terrestrial audiences.'
For more details contact:
Howard Harding
Tel: +44 (0)7773-325130
HowHard@aol.com