Category: Sport
Date: 15.07.2005
Printable version
The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has secured the UK television rights to broadcast
The Open until 2011 after agreeing a deal with The R&A, golf's world
rules and development body.
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The announcement comes as the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ celebrates 50 years
since its first live television broadcast of the world's oldest golf
championship.
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The Open is currently being shown live on the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ from
St Andrews, the home of golf.
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As part of the five-year deal, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has also secured
the television rights for the Walker Cup and the live and delayed online
rights to both The Open Championship and the Walker Cup.
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Dominic Coles, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sports Director of Rights and Finance,
said: "We are very proud of our long association with this prestigious
and most historic event and we're all delighted that it will continue
until 2011."
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R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson said: "I am delighted
that it has again been possible to extend our strong relationship with
the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and so to bring The Open to the largest possible audience."
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In a separate deal already agreed, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Radio Five
Live has the non-exclusive radio rights to The Open until 2009.