The BBC loses The Open as Sky Sports pay £10m a year to broadcast British Open [Daily Mail]

[nevets88]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-2933760/BBC-lose-Open-Sky-Sports-pay-10m-year-broadcast-golfs-crown-jewel.html

Quote:

Deal ends the BBC's 59-year ownership of the Open broadcast rights

The BBC will host their last Open Championship at St Andrews in July

Match of the Day was seen as more of a priority by the BBC

The contract will be announced by the sport’s ruling body, the R&A;, early next week and will end the BBC’s 59-year ownership of the rights after the next tournament at St Andrews in July. The BBC are likely to keep a highlights deal but that is a consolation prize.

They have been resigned to losing The Open to Sky for some time and prioritised saving Match of the Day, for which they will pay £204m — a 13.5 per cent increase on their current deal. That was seen as better value for licence-fee payers than golf’s flagship event, which costs the BBC £7m a year.

[Wansteadimp]

Good, their coverage hasn't kept up with the latest technology. Sky spend so much more on developing their product, the BBC's coverage has become embarrassing.