BBC Worldwide’s Sport Sales division has agreed a three-year deal, from 2002-2004, with Dutch broadcaster SBS Broadcasting BV for the rights to the Embassy World Darts Championships.

Under the terms of the agreement, SBS 6 will cover the BBC’s complete 8-day tournament live and will supplement this with edited highlight programmes.

BBC Worldwide Sport Sales Manager, Richard Hornsby-Smith said, ‘SBS 6 has demonstrated their commitment to both the event and the sport of darts. Their viewing figures speak for themselves and we are looking forward to working with them in the future.’

Bart Soepnel, Vice President, International Programme Acquisitions, SBS Broadcasting BV added, ‘We have enjoyed a great deal of success for several years with our coverage of the Embassy World Darts Championships – with viewing figures peaking at 3.03 million for the 1999 Final, which featured the defending champion, Dutchman, Raymond Barneveld. This figure is all the more staggering in that it comfortably exceeded the viewing figures for the Holland v Argentina and Holland v Brazil international football matches, also in 1999.’

For futher information please contact:
Erica Docherty, BBC Worldwide Press Office
+44 0208 433 3995
email: erica.docherty@bbc.co.uk

Michiel van Rijswijk,
SBS Broadcasting BV Communication Department
+31 20 522 55 42