BBC and ESPN COLLABORATE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE 2012 LAKESIDE WORLD PROFESSIONAL DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The BDO and BBC Sport have reached an agreement with ESPN to provide live coverage of the 2012 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships.
ESPN will broadcast both evening sessions of the opening weekend of January 7th and 8th, plus every weekday evening session from January 9th to 13th live and exclusively.
Its coverage will also include the second Semi-Final exclusively live on Saturday, January 14th and highlights of the 2012 Lakeside World Final on Sunday, January 15th.
The BBC will screen live and exclusive coverage of the afternoon sessions of the Championships over the opening weekend of January 7th and 8th. There will be extended BBC afternoon highlights from Monday, January 9th to Friday, January 13th, plus late-night highlights on BBC Two and extra action on BBC Sport online.
Additionally, the first Semi-Final will be broadcast live by BBC on Saturday, January 14th, plus exclusive live BBC coverage of the final on Sunday, January 15th.
BBC coverage will be presented by Colin Murray and Bobby George and commentary for both broadcasters will come from David Croft and Tony Green.
ESPN’s live televised darts coverage of the 2012 Lakeside World Pro will be led by Ray Stubbs, presenter of both the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships and the Winmau World Masters for several years during his career with the BBC.
All ESPN discussion and analysis will come live from the Championships, not only capturing the environment, but also connecting viewers to the unique atmosphere of live Lakeside darts.
Barry Gilbey, Chairman BDO Enterprises Ltd says: "Both ESPN and the BBC are brand leaders in televised sport and we are delighted that the 2012 Lakeside World Professional will benefit from their combined technical expertise and know-how. These are exciting times for our players as the BDO moves ever forward in its mission statement to provide darts for all.”
The addition of the 2012 World Professional Darts Championships extends ESPN’s coverage of BDO darts following its first live UK darts programming of the 2011 Winmau World Masters in September.
Staged and promoted by the BDO, the 2012 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships will be played at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green from Saturday, January 7th to Sunday, January 15th, 2012.
Press Release issued 3/11/2011 by ROBERT HOLMES on behalf of the BDO robertgholmes@hotmail.com
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