Sky signs a new 7-year deal with the PDC

[Bram_1900]

AS Sky Sports prepares to broadcast its 25th World Darts Championship, the Professional Darts Corporation has agreed a new seven-year broadcast deal that will take Sky’s coverage of the sport into a fourth decade.

Running until 2025, Sky customers will be able to watch the best of live darts throughout the year including the sport’s biggest tournament, the William Hill World Darts Championship, as well as the 16-week Unibet Premier League, and the prestigious BetVictor World Matchplay.

Sky Sports’ relationship with the PDC started in 1993/1994 when it broadcast the World Championship, which has evolved from its first home at the Circus Tavern in Essex with 24 players and a prize pot of £64,000 to the world-famous Alexandra Palace in London with triple the number of competitors and a prize fund of £1.8million.

The new contract will give Sky Sports customers 60 days of live darts throughout each year, featuring the William Hill World Championship, Unibet Premier League, BetVictor World Matchplay, bwin Grand Slam of Darts, Unibet World Grand Prix and Betway World Cup of Darts.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn added: “We’re absolutely delighted that we have been able to extend our relationship with Sky Sports for a further seven years.

"The support of Sky Sports since the PDC was formed almost 25 years ago has been a vital part in the sport’s success since then, and it will be fantastic for them to continue their superb coverage of these six major tournaments until at least 2025.

"The 2017/2018 William Hill World Darts Championship promises to be the best yet as the sport’s amazing global growth continues, and this is fantastic news to kick off the most exciting period of the year.”

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports said: “It would not be Christmas without the darts which has become an essential part of the festive period for Sky Sports.

"By continuing to show the biggest and best darts for a further seven years it’s the ideal Christmas gift for Sky Sports customers. Alongside recent long-term deals for England cricket, EFL and Formula 1® it’s yet another example of a hugely exciting future for our customers.”

For the first time, Sky Sports customers will be able to enjoy new, dedicated, darts programming across the year, including The Darts Show - a 12-episode, monthly magazine programme exclusive to the Sky Sports Action & Arena channels from January 2018.

The channels will also broadcast the Unibet Premier League live, including the inaugural night in Berlin – a new host city on the 16-stop tour and home to the fastest growing darts market in the world.

With the William Hill World Darts Championship starting on Thursday, fans can enjoy every session live and exclusive on Sky Sports Darts HD (channel 408).

The Sky Sports Main Event channel will also simulcast live play on specific days, and non-Sky customers can follow all the action with daily, weekly or monthly sports passes from NOW TV.

The announcement continues a series of strong major rights deals for Sky Sports over the past twelve months; including deals with the EFL and ECB, Women’s Six Nations Rugby, UEFA Qualifiers, and from 2019, Sky Sports will become the exclusive home of Formula 1® in the UK & ROI. ""

Source: https://pdc.tv/news/2017/12/14/new-seve ... sky-sports

[Ginge]

Seven years?

Crikey.

That bubble, eh?

Although it looks like The Darts Show wont be on ITV4 any more, unless both are going to show it.

[Bram_1900]

"The bubble has burst"

Also: no end to the WGP, as suggested by some.

[markymark]

It's always been perfect filler in international football weeks, and obviously has built an audience over the partnership.

Long deal, especially when how we all watch TV is changing.

[devosteve]

For the first time, Sky Sports customers will be able to enjoy new, dedicated, darts programming across the year, including The Darts Show - a 12-episode, monthly magazine programmeexclusive to the Sky Sports Action & Arena channels from January 2018.

can't see ITV4 being binned but this does say exclusive! Guess it's the same prog.

[devosteve]

It's always been perfect filler in international football weeks, and obviously has built an audience over the partnership.

Long deal, especially when how we all watch TV is changing.

Well this deal does bring a degree of security for the PDc and it's players. unless Sky goes bust the players know what is happening for the next 7 on sky, and is it 4 on ITV4?

It's great news. But it loses it's impact because with the PDc we are getting good news after good news.

[Ginge]

Missed the word "exclusive", looks like ITV4 are losing it then.

[ssjsa]

Great work from Barry Hearn, Matt Porter and the PDC team.

That bubble ain't bursting anytime soon.

[Ginge]

Oche seething on Twitter

[oche balboa]

Oche seething on Twitter

Naw it’s obvious they were going to give them a good deal.

[Ginge]

Auntie Sue would kill for a seven year TV deal. Maybe a three year one at the moment would do

[Ginge]

"The bubble has burst"

Also: no end to the WGP, as suggested by some.

I would be surprised if they arent even looking at the prospect of moving it elsewhere at some point. Still listed as Dublin on the 2018 calendar, mind.

[oche balboa]

Auntie Sue would kill for a seven year TV deal. Maybe a three year one at the moment would do

I don’t even think they will get channel 4 extending their contract

[oche balboa]

Auntie Sue would kill for a seven year TV deal. Maybe a three year one at the moment would do

I don’t even think they will get channel 4 extending their contract

[Chizzyfan]

More Chizzy on t.v is always good. Fabulous.

[oche balboa]

"The bubble has burst"

Also: no end to the WGP, as suggested by some.

I would be surprised if they arent even looking at the prospect of moving it elsewhere at some point. Still listed as Dublin on the 2018 calendar, mind.

Gurney Winning it has changed this

[Astonvilla]

Good news for the BDO as well. Now BT Sport know they cant get PDC darts for at least 7 years the BDO can hold them to ransom as without them they
have no darts at all.

[Ginge]

Good news for the BDO as well. Now BT Sport know they cant get PDC darts for at least 7 years the BDO can hold them to ransom as without them they
have no darts at all.

Very good

[devosteve]

Good news for the BDO as well. Now BT Sport know they cant get PDC darts for at least 7 years the BDO can hold them to ransom as without them they
have no darts at all.

Very good

yep, the BDO hold all the cards. Though if it was a game of poker their hand a pair of 2's!

[devosteve]

Oche seething on Twitter

what's he saying and why is he upset? he doesn't 'hate' the PDC does he? I hope not; we need more all darters in this world.