NEW BBC DEAL PUTS SNOOKER IN THE PINK

THE BBC have signed a deal with the World Snooker Association (WSA) that will see the game remain on terrestrial television for at least the next six years.
WSA Chairman, Mark Wildman, said: “We are looking at a number of ways of broadening snooker’s appeal in the new millennium. Our aim is to meet the needs of television, sponsors and the viewing public without tampering with the tradition or the rules of the game.”
An improved six-year contract with BBC Sport, which runs until the end of 2005 to 2006 season, will mean increased coverage of four major snooker tournaments, mostly on BBC2.
Richard Sambrook, Acting Director of BBC Sport, said: “Snooker is still one of the hot television sports with a devoted following counted in the millions. We are delighted to continue to present the cream of the snooker calendar.”
Despite the arrival of satellite TV, cable and the internet, snooker continues to pull in high viewing figures with a peak audience of 8.4 million watching this year’s world championship final.