BBC Extend Broadcast Contract With The Boat Race Company LTD
The Boat Race Company Ltd (BRCL) and the BBC have signed a contract extension which will see both The BNY Mellon Boat Race and The Newton Women’s Boat Race broadcast on the BBC from 2015 until 2021.
2015 marks an historic year as The Women’s Boat Race moves to the Tideway, where crews will compete on the same day and on the same course as The Men’s Race for the first time in history. The BBC plays a crucial role in delivering this historic event to a global audience; one of the most technical and impressive broadcasting challenges that BBC Sport faces. The continued broadcast support highlights the importance and prestige that the event holds in the World sporting calendar.
BBC Director of Sport, Barbara Slater, said: “The Boat Race is an important part of our sport portfolio; combining modern high-quality broadcasting with this most traditional and much-loved competition. We are delighted to announce that we will be bringing full coverage of The Women’s Boat Race to our audiences, from 2015, as it joins the Men’s event on the Tideway.”
Commenting on the new contract, David Searle of BRCL, said: “This relationship highlights the global reach that both The BNY Mellon Boat Race and Newton Women’s Boat Race have and the desire to watch the Race unfold worldwide. Last year saw in excess of 7 million UK TV viewers and many millions more around the world. We are very grateful for all the work the BBC do surrounding the event and are delighted at their continued commitment to Race Day.”
The 2014 BNY Mellon Boat Race takes place on Sunday 6 April at 5.55pm. Clare Balding is presenting the coverage on BBC One with Matthew Pinsent and Helen Skelton as reporters. Andrew Cotter will lead the commentary team and will be joined by former Oxford rower and coach, Daniel Topolski and former winning Cambridge President, Wayne Pommen. Live commentary and coverage will also be available on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and the BBC Sport website.
