BBC retains Wimbledon rights

Wimbledon will be shown on the BBC in Britain through 2017 after the All England Club signed a three-year extension to its deal with the broadcaster, ESPN writes.

The BBC has broadcast action from the famous tennis tournament on radio and television since 1927.

"We know that Wimbledon fortnight has a very special place in the hearts of the UK public,” The Sun quotes Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, as saying.

"We are delighted that our new agreement ensures coverage of The Championships remains free to air and available to licence fee payers."

According to The Telegraph, the BBC came in for fierce criticism earlier this year for agreeing to a new deal over Formula One coverage.

From next year, Sky Sports will screen all practice, qualifying and grands prix live, while the BBC will now show 50% of the races, with the remainder aired via a deferred highlights package.