BBC’s coverage of British Open under threat

The BBC have been warned by the R&A they risk losing the rights to live coverage of the British Open if they do not keep pace with television’s technological revolution.

A contract is in place until 2016 but the corporation have reduced coverage of events in recent years and are facing fierce competition from satellite broadcaster Sky, who shared last month’s coverage of the Masters.

The British Open is currently on the B List of sporting events which are protected, which only stipulates highlights must be available free-to-air.

But advancements in technology, which Sky first used in their football coverage but have since transferred to golf including methods such as 3D TV, mean the BBC’s stranglehold on the only major played outside the United States is under threat.

Asked whether the R&A were concerned by BBC’s reduced golf coverage chief executive Peter Dawson said: “Certainly. We have had that conversation with the BBC.

“They have to keep up with the advances in technology of broadcasting and they know we have got our eye on that.

The BBC came in for criticism over their coverage of the Masters when they employed former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan as one of their commentary team.

He made a public blunder in an interview with 14-time major winner Tiger Woods when he incorrectly stated to the former world number one that he had three green jackets (he has four).

While the R&A may believe the BBC are dragging their heels in terms of technological advancements they are trying to catch up themselves after announcing the ban on mobile phones will be lifted for this summer’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Calls will be allowed in designated areas but photography and video recording will not be permitted during the four days of the championship.