Quite possibly. I think there was some restructuring after Sky significantly cut fees it pays for broadcasting Discovery's channels on it's platform a few years back.
http://sport-onthebox.com/2018/10/30/bdo-darts-world-championship-eurosport-quest-tv-rights-deal-2019-2021/Eurosport & Quest to show BDO World Darts ChampionshipsEurosport has signed a deal to broadcast three of the biggest tournaments on the British Darts Organisation calendar for the next three years in the UK.
Starting from January 2019, darts fans will be able to watch the three highest-profile tournaments in the BDO circuit on Eurosport, including the World Professional Darts Championships in January, followed later in the year by the World Darts Trophy and the BDO World Masters in September.
Additionally, in a commitment to ensure the BDO World Championships remain on terrestrial television for the 42nd consecutive year, Discovery-owned channel Quest will also share coverage of all three events with Eurosport, providing both live coverage and highlights programming to free-to-air audiences.
Eurosport and Quest take over as rights holders for the BDO World Championships from Channel 4 and BT Sport, who shared coverage of the tournament in 2017 and 2018. Channel 4 took over the terrestrial reigns of the tournament from the BDO’s former long-standing TV partner the BBC, which pulled out of covering BDO darts in 2016.
Alongside comprehensive TV coverage across Freeview, Freesat, cable and satellite, Eurosport and Quest’s BDO darts coverage will also be available to watch by the subscription service Eurosport Player and via catch-up on Quest OD.
In addition to exclusive UK rights, Eurosport, which has long been a broadcasting partner of the BDO across the UK, Europe and globally, will also show all three tournaments exclusively live in the Netherlands and Australia.
Emir Osmanbegovic, Eurosport SVP Sports Content & Production, said:
“We’re delighted to secure world-class action for these three darts-crazy markets. Darts offers unscripted drama and an incredible spectacle. We are looking forward to bringing this theatre to millions of darts fans in the UK, Netherlands and Australia.”
Des Jacklin, chairman of the BDO, added:
“Eurosport have for many years been a great broadcast partner and supporter of the BDO. It is fantastic to see them get the opportunity to show the BDO World Professional Darts Championships in the UK for the first time and to give us a nine event three-year commitment for the UK, Netherlands and Australia.
“The live terrestrial coverage on Quest continues the tradition of the BDO World Professional Darts Championships having been broadcast on a terrestrial channel for 41 years. We have been committed to securing this long-term broadcasting contract so we can focus our attentions on further improving the BDO for the players and supporters alike.”
Eurosport and Quest’s exclusive BDO darts coverage begins on 5 January 2019 with the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships.
A memorable men’s final in 2018 saw Englishman Glen Durrant picking up the £100,000 winners’ cheque after narrowly beating compatriot Mark McGeeney, to retain the world title.
Likewise, after winning the thrilling final in 2018 against Anastasia Dobromyslova 4-time winner Lisa Ashton is returning in 2019 to try and make it three in a row.
BDO darts coverage adds to Quest’s growing free-to-air sports portfolio which includes EFL and Carabao Cup highlights, live Home Nations snooker events and British Superbikes.
As well as confirmation of a new television deal for its flagship events, the BDO has also confirmed that the Lakeside Country Club will host the 2019 edition of the World Professional Championships. The Frimley Green venue has hosted the event since 1986.
Further details of Eurosport and Quest’s presenting team and commentary line-up for its BDO darts coverage will be confirmed in due course.
For more information about the British Darts Organisation, visit bdodarts.com.
