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BBC, LTA extend rights deal

May 8, 2025

BBC Sport has secured a three-year rights extension with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to continue broadcasting the HSBC Championships live on BBC TV, radio and digital services from The Queen’s Club, meaning there will be even more hours of live tennis across the BBC this summer.

For the first time in over 50 years, this year’s competition includes the addition of a women’s WTA 500 tournament, which takes place on the grass courts the week prior to the ATP 500 event.

Current British number one women’s player Katie Boulter and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu will compete in the women’s event, with Jack Draper the current British number one men’s player and 2024 Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, both competing in the men’s event.

Audiences can look tune into a fortnight of Queen’s live on BBC TV and iPlayer, ahead of the Wimbledon Championships on June 30th. BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will also provide live coverage and commentary across the Queen’s fortnight.

The LTA’s events at Eastbourne and Nottingham will both be live on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport website as part of the three-year deal, bringing the nation together with stories of homegrown talent and sporting success.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, commenting: “The grass court season is synonymous with British summer, and for BBC Sport it marks the start of a huge summer of women’s sporting events, kicking off with the women’s tournament at Queen’s. Continuing our partnership with the LTA for a further three years including the streaming of Eastbourne and Nottingham ensures world-class tennis remains free-to-air for audiences.”

Chris Pollard, LTA Managing Director of Commercial & Operations, added: “The LTA is committed to opening up tennis to the largest possible audience across Britain, and the BBC plays a vital role in helping us achieve this. This year promises to be the LTA’s best grass court season yet, with women and men competing in all our events for the very first time. This partnership will enable people right across the country to watch British stars and top-ranked international players on free-to-air platforms across three weeks of inspiring, world-class tennis.”

The BBC’s full broadcast plans for TV and radio, including presenters, pundits and commentary lineup for the British grass court tennis season will be announced in due course.

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