BADMINTON AGREES NEW 3 YEAR DEAL WITH BBC
BBC Television has agreed to extend its coverage of the Mitsubishi
Motors Badminton Horse Trials, which has been unbroken since 1956,
for a further three years inclusive of 2012. The new contract will
guarantee live red button and broadband coverage of cross country
day, as well as a two hour programme which combines the best of the
cross country and dressage with previews and the live conclusion of
the show jumping.
Michael Cole, Editor of Equestrian Sports for
BBC Television, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring
Badminton to BBC viewers for another three years. As we build
towards the 2012 Olympics, it’s great to be able to cover the
world’s best riders at the sport’s most famous event”
The deal also means that Badminton’s dates are
fixed for the next three years. 30th April – 3rd May 2010,
29th April – 2nd May 2011, 4th May – 7th May 2012. These
are Bank Holiday weekends and, in a departure from tradition, the
Event will move forward a day and conclude on the Mondays. This
will reduce the chance of clashing on television with other, as yet
undated, sporting fixtures. The Sunday Cross Country will be
available live on red button and a highlights package followed by
live Show Jumping on BBC 2 on the Mondays.
The TV schedule for 2009 is as follows: BBC
red button Saturday 9th May 1100 – the end of the cross
country (approx 1630), BBC 2 Sunday 10th May 1300 –
1500. There will also be extensive coverage in the fortnight after
the event on Horse and Country TV and several other overseas
outlets yet to be confirmed.
ENDS
Further Information:
Julian Seaman, Badminton Press Officer, 41
Gastein Road, London, W6 8LT
T: + 44 (0) 207 385 0591; F: + 44 (0) 207 386
9820; E: j.seaman2@sky.com
Also:
Mitsubishi Motors Press Office
T: + 44 (0) 1285 647200; E: pressoffice@mitsubishi-cars.co