BBC Sport extend World Snooker deal until 2017

The BBC will continue to broadcast snooker’s biggest domestic tournaments until at least 2017, after extending their current deal by three years.

The three major events on the calendar, The World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters will continue to be broadcast on BBC television, online and via the BBC iPlayer.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “This is wonderful news for the many millions of snooker fans throughout the UK who love watching the sport on the BBC. This season there are over 260 hours of coverage of snooker on the BBC which is a fantastic amount. And last year’s World Championship was watched by 28.5 million people which proves what a wide appeal there is for snooker.

“The World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters are among the highlights of the sporting calendar so it’s terrific that they will remain on terrestrial television.

“Snooker has made huge progress in recent years and is growing rapidly as a worldwide sport. The BBC remains one of our most important partners and we look forward to many years working with them.”

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, added: “The World Snooker Championship is an important part of our sports rights portfolio and we’re delighted to be continuing our coverage of these three major tournaments.”

World number one and UK Champion Mark Selby added: “Everyone’s first memories of snooker are watching the big events on the BBC so it’s great for the players and fans to know that those tournaments will remain on terrestrial TV for at least the next four years.”

The BBC will broadcast live coverage of the 2013 Betfair Masters, which begins on Sunday 13 January at Alexandra Palace in London.