Sky Sports is to broadcast exclusively live coverage of The Open after signing a new five-year deal with The R&A.
The BBC, which has lost another key sports event, will be reduced to a nightly highlights package.
Sky now has the rights to all four Majors, the Ryder Cup, European Tour and PGA Tour.
Barney Francis, Sky Sports Managing Director, said: “The Open is the world’s preeminent golf championship and we are committed to taking coverage of the event to new levels. We offer something for every sports fan and this exciting agreement for The Open means our customers can now enjoy all four Majors live. Sky Sports has a passion for golf that has spanned two decades, offering unrivalled commitment, airtime and promotion as well as year-round innovative coverage.”
Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, added: “We believe this is the best result for The Open and for golf. The way people consume live sport is changing significantly and this new agreement ensures fans have a range of options for enjoying the Championship on television and through digital channels. Sky Sports has an excellent track record in covering golf across its platforms and has become the home of live golf coverage over recent years. We are very much looking forward to working with them to develop and enhance the coverage of The Open.”
Coverage will be available across TV, online, mobile and tablet devices. Sky is highlighting is pay-as-you-go service NOW TV as a means to bring across fans that have hitherto been pay-TV refuseniks.
The Sky commentary team includes Jack Nicklaus, Colin Montgomerie, Butch Harmon and Paul McGinley.
