Snooker legends, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis, were left thrilled by the announcement made by Hazel Irvine during a live TV broadcast. The BBC has recently signed a five-year extension to its deal with the World Snooker Tour (WST), guaranteeing that the Triple Crown, comprising the World Championship, UK Championship, and the Masters, will remain free-to-air until 2032. The news was unveiled during the Masters final match between Kyren Wilson and Shaun Murphy at Alexandra Palace, with Murphy claiming victory with a 10-7 win.
Presenter Hazel Irvine shared the exciting development during the match, stating, “I have some news to bring you because we’re absolutely thrilled to announce tonight that the BBC has extended its contract for broadcast rights for the Triple Crown events until 2032, which is wonderful news.” She highlighted the significance of the decision, emphasizing that fans will continue to enjoy these prestigious events on terrestrial television for at least the next seven years. Hazel then turned to pundits Davis and Hendry for their reactions, acknowledging the enduring partnership with the BBC in sports broadcasting.
Stephen Hendry, an eighteen-time Triple Crown champion, expressed his delight at the news by stating, “It’s fantastic news. I mean I grew up watching snooker in the beginning on BBC and to see it carry on is fantastic for the fans who love to watch snooker.” Similarly, Steve Davis, a six-time world champion, commended the extension, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity internationally and hinting at the possibility of snooker becoming an Olympic event in the future. The announcement comes after a successful year for snooker, with the BBC reporting impressive viewership numbers for Triple Crown events on various platforms.
WST chairman Steve Dawson reaffirmed the longstanding partnership with the BBC, emphasizing the importance of keeping major snooker tournaments accessible to a wide audience. The BBC’s sports rights portfolio includes a diverse range of major events, illustrating the broadcaster’s commitment to delivering popular sports content to viewers. The continuation of the BBC’s coverage of snooker aligns with its strategy to provide high-quality sports programming to a broad audience, showcasing the excitement and drama of the sport to fans worldwide.
The announcement of the contract extension has been met with enthusiasm from players, fans, and industry stakeholders alike, highlighting the significance of maintaining snooker’s presence on mainstream television. With the Triple Crown events set to remain free-to-air until 2032, audiences can look forward to more thrilling moments and memorable matches in the coming years. The BBC’s commitment to broadcasting snooker reflects its dedication to supporting a diverse range of sports and engaging viewers with top-quality programming. Fans can continue to enjoy the drama and excitement of snooker’s most prestigious tournaments on free-to-air television, further cementing the sport’s popularity and appeal.