BBC & ESPN to share coverage of 2012 BDO World Darts

November 3, 2011   ·   0 Comments

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 7 & 8, plus every weekday evening session from January 9 – 13 live and exclusively. Its coverage will also include the second semi-final exclusively live on Saturday 14 January and highlights of the 2012 Lakeside World Final, on Sunday 15 January . The addition of the tournament extends ESPN’s darts offering: in September ESPN broadcast its first live darts programming in the UK, the 2011 Winmau World Masters.

ESPN’s live televised darts coverage will be led by Ray Stubbs, presenter of both the BDO 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 tournaments, capturing the environment and connecting viewers to the unique atmosphere of live darts.

The BBC will screen live and exclusive coverage of the afternoon sessions of the tournament over the opening weekend of January 7 & 8. There will be extended BBC afternoon highlights from Monday 9 January to Friday 13 January, plus late-night highlights on BBC Two and extra action on BBC Sport online. Additionally, the first semi-final will be broadcast live on the BBC on Saturday 14 January, plus exclusive live coverage of the final on Sunday 15 January

The BBC Coverage is presented by Colin Murray, who will once again joined by two-time World Championship runner-up Bobby George. Commentary for both broadcasters will come from David Croft and Tony Green.

The World Professional Darts Championship features star players including Martin Adams, reigning World Masters and three times World Professional Darts Championship title holder and Ted Hankey, twice championship winner.

Barry Gilbey, Chairman BDO Enterprises Ltd commented, “Both ESPN and the BBC are brand leaders in televised sport and we are delighted that the 2012 World Professional will benefit from their combined technical expertise and knowhow. These are exciting times for our players as the BDO moves ever forward in its mission statement to provide darts for all.”

2012 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships – Match Schedule

Saturday 7 January

Afternoon Session

Ron Meulenkamp (NED, 16) v Gary Stone (SCO)

Martin Adams (ENG, 1) v Scott Mitchell (ENG)

Tony O’Shea (ENG, 8 ) v Steve West (ENG)

Ross Montgomery (SCO, 9) v Fabian Roosenbrand (NED)

Evening Session

Robbie Green (ENG, 4) v Darryl Fitton (ENG)

Gary Robson (ENG, 5) v Steve Douglas (ENG)

Sunday 8 January

Afternoon Session

John Walton (ENG, 7) v Martin Atkins (ENG)

Willy van de Wiel (NED, 10) v Dave Prins (ENG)

Scott Waites (ENG, 2) v Andy Boulton (ENG)

Paul Jennings (ENG, 12) v Garry Thompson (ENG)

Evening Session

Jan Dekker (NED, 6) v Christian Kist (NED)

Ted Hankey (ENG, 15) v Clive Barden (ENG)

Wesley Harms (NED, 13) v Martin Phillips (WAL)

Monday 9 January 

Tony West (ENG, 11) v Geert De Vos (BEL)

Benito van de Pas (NED, 14) v Alan Norris (ENG)

Dean Winstanley (ENG, 3) v Joey ten Berge (NED)

Tuesday 10 January

4 Second Round matches (TBA)

Wednesday 11 January

4 Second Round matches (TBA)

Thursday 12 January

2 Quarter Finals matches (TBA)

Friday 13 January

2 Quarter Finals matches (TBA)

Saturday 14 January

Afternoon Session

Semi Final 1

Evening Session

Semi Final 2

Sunday 15 January

Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship Final 2012

Tags: BBC Sport, BDO, Bobby George, Colin Murray, David Croft, ESPN, Lakeside, Ray Stubbs, Tony Green, World Darts Championships