Eurosport looking to air Wimbledon highlights

Eurosport could air part of the Wimbledon tennis tournament for the first time if a deal between it and UK public broadcaster the BBC is approved by regulator Ofcom.

While the BBC would retain live coverage rights, Eurosport would broadcast a daily evening highlights package.

Under the plan, the BBC will broadcast live coverage and highlights on BBC One and BBC Two, and on their radio services including BBC Five Liv) and interactive streams. Eurosport will broadcast live coverage and highlights of the tournament play on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2, and on their interactive streams.

Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton described the channel’s planned Wimbledon offering as “complementary” to the BBC’s coverage.

The deal would mark the first time Wimbledon coverage has been aired on a pay TV channel in the UK, and would enable Eurosport to offer content from all four tennis Grand Slam competitions on its channel in the UK.

The BBC has previously announced plans to pare down its sports coverage due to budget constraints resulting from its financial settlement with the government.

Ofcom has put the plan out to consultation until June 15.