ITV Snooker: Broadcast Rights Lost to Channel 5

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Channel 5 Lands Snooker Broadcast Rights, Ending ITV4‘s Era

Breaking News: Channel 5 has emerged as the new home for key World Snooker Tour events,snatching the broadcast rights from ITV4. This significant move includes the prestigious Players Championship and Tour Championship, ensuring these high-profile snooker tournaments remain accessible to UK viewers on free-to-air television. The shift highlights Channel 5’s growing commitment to live sports coverage, while ITV undergoes reported cost-cutting measures.

5 Secures Snooker Events: A New Chapter Begins

The World Snooker Tour (WST) has struck a deal with Paramount-owned Channel 5, bringing the Players Championship and Tour Championship to the network. Fans can anticipate live coverage of these world-ranking events, maintaining their availability on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom.

ITV4, the previous long-term broadcaster of these events, lost the rights amid reports of financial constraints at ITV. Did You Know? ITV had only signed a one-year extension to its snooker broadcasting deal last September.

The agreement between WST and Paramount also encompasses the British Open starting in 2026, expanding Channel 5’s snooker portfolio. Broadcast plans for the 2025 British Open remain unchanged.

Premiere Dates: When To Watch On 5

Mark your calendars! Channel 5 will launch its snooker coverage February 16, 2026, with the Players Championship, held at the Telford International Center. This event showcases the top 16 players from the Johnstone’s paint One-Year Rankings.

Following closely, the Tour Championship, featuring the top 12 players from the same rankings, will be broadcast live from Manchester between March 30 and April 5, 2026.

While Channel 5 is yet to confirm specific broadcast details, including the distribution of coverage between its main channel and 5ACTION, streaming will be available via the 5 app. The network is also finalizing its presenter and commentator lineup.

5 Expands Live Sports Coverage

Channel 5 has been actively bolstering its live sports offerings throughout 2025. Recent acquisitions include selected FIFA Club World Cup games and live Cricket matches, capitalizing on opportunities arising from other broadcasters’ financial limitations. Pro Tip: Keep an eye on channel 5 for an expanding range of live sporting events in the coming months.

Despite these changes, the World Snooker Tour and BBC have solidified a long-term agreement, ensuring coverage of the World Championship, UK Championship, and The Masters remains on BBC channels until 2032.

Executive Insights

Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, 5 and Paramount UK, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to bring the World Snooker Tour to 5. The Tour Championship, Players Championship, and British Open are top-ranking tournaments featuring the world’s best players, and making them available to view on free-to-air TV continues our mission to keep elite live sport accessible for fans across the UK.”

WST Chairman, Steve Dawson, added, “We are delighted to be working with 5 for the first time and to add a new broadcaster to our tour. Snooker has a long history of providing fans with free-to-air events with extensive live coverage, so this is fantastic news for everyone who follows our sport.”

Key Dates and events

Event	Date	Location	Broadcaster
Players Championship	February 16, 2026	Telford International Centre	Channel 5
Tour Championship	March 30 – April 5, 2026	Manchester	Channel 5
British Open	2026 (Specific dates TBD)	TBD	Channel 5

What are your thoughts on Channel 5 becoming the new home for these snooker events? Will this change affect your viewing habits?

The Enduring Appeal of Snooker

Snooker’s popularity in the UK remains strong, fueled by its strategic depth and compelling narratives. With a dedicated fanbase and a history of free-to-air coverage, the sport continues to thrive. The move to Channel 5 represents an prospect to reach new audiences and further solidify snooker’s place in the UK’s sporting landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions about Snooker on Channel 5

• Why is Channel 5 now broadcasting snooker?

  Channel 5 secured the broadcast rights for key snooker events due to ITV’s cost-cutting measures,allowing 5 to expand its live sports portfolio.

• What snooker events will Channel 5 broadcast?

  Channel 5 will broadcast the Players Championship, Tour Championship, and the British Open starting in 2026.

• When will Channel 5 begin its snooker coverage?

  Channel 5’s snooker coverage begins February 16, 2026, with the players Championship.

• Will the snooker coverage on Channel 5 be free to air?

  Yes, the deal between WST and Paramount-owned Channel 5 ensures that these world ranking snooker events will remain available to UK viewers on a free-to-air basis.

• How can I watch Channel 5’s snooker coverage online?

  You can stream the snooker action via the Channel 5 app.

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  Here are some PAA (People also Ask) related questions based on the provided text:

  ITV Snooker: Why Channel 5 Now Holds the Cue

  The End of an Era: ITV’s Snooker Coverage

  For a significant period, ITV was a familiar home for snooker enthusiasts across the UK. Snooker on ITV, featuring the likes of the World Snooker Championship and other major tournaments, was a staple of sports broadcasting.However, that era has ended, and the broadcast rights have moved. Understanding the reasons behind this shift is crucial for both fans and those interested in the dynamics of sports broadcasting.

  Why the Change? Key Factors Influencing the Decision

  Several factors likely contributed to ITV losing its snooker rights. While specific details are often confidential, several key influencers are typically at play: the broadcasting rights, deal negotiations, the value of the sport, and the financial side of it all. These factors have an vital influence on where we can view our favorite sports

  Financial Considerations: The Business of Broadcasting

  the financial aspect of sports broadcasting is immense. Rights fees are a major investment for any channel. ITV likely made a strategic decision based on the costs compared to potential returns. This involves elements like; advertising revenue, viewership demographics, and the overall audience reach. the economic landscape plays a crucial role in decisions made in terms of broadcasting deals.

  Rights Negotiations and Bidding Wars in Snooker

  Competition for broadcasting rights is fierce. channel 5, known for its diverse sports coverage, likely entered the bidding process with a strong offer.This may have included factors like a promise of a more extensive coverage plan, improved promotion, or simply a more attractive financial proposal. Ultimately, the snooker governing bodies would have considered the offer and selected the best deal.

  Viewer Demographics and Audience Strategy

  Each broadcaster has its own target viewer demographic and, therefore, audience strategy.ITV may have decided to focus its resources on other types of programming they believed would better attract their target audience. The shift to Channel 5 coudl indicate a strategic effort by the snooker authorities to reach a new audience demographic or increase overall exposure.

  Channel 5’s Advantage: What They Offer Snooker Fans

  Channel 5’s acquisition of the rights signifies a new chapter for snooker broadcasting. Channel 5 might offer several benefits for snooker fans.

  • Enhanced Accessibility: Channel 5 might be accessible on a variety of platforms,potentially increasing the audience reach.
  • Dedicated Coverage: The strategy may involve more extensive coverage, with live matches, studio analysis, and behind-the-scenes content.
  • Marketing and Promotion: more in-depth promotion of snooker could raise the profile of the sport.

  Impact on Viewers: What does This Mean for Snooker Fans?

  The switch from ITV to Channel 5 brings about important changes for the public.

  Here’s an overview:

  1. Channel Availability: Viewers should ensure they have access to Channel 5, as it’s their primary destination for snooker coverage.
  2. Coverage Adjustments: Consider the potential for varying times for specific events, as match schedules frequently change from channel to channel.
  3. Overall Viewing Experience: Watch for differences in commentary, studio analysis, and the overall production quality. The change can add to improve the viewing experience.

  The Future of Snooker Broadcasting

  The shift to Channel 5 reveals the dynamics of sports broadcasting.

  Important points to consider include:

  • The Role of Streaming: Explore the rise of live streaming services.
  • Technological Innovation: Keep abreast of technical changes in broadcasting.
  • Increasing Media Competition: The future would be shaped by the competition among different broadcasting platforms.

  Table of Snooker Tournament Channels

  Here is a breakdown of the changes for the snooker tournaments that have switched from ITV to Channel 5 over the past few years.

  Tournament	Previous Broadcaster (Before)	Current Broadcaster (Now)
  World Snooker Championship	ITV	Channel 5
  UK Championship	ITV	Channel 5
  Masters	ITV	Channel 5

  Practical Tips for Snooker Fans

  Here’s how to keep up with the snooker action:

  • Consult TV Guides: regularly check TV listings for snooker event schedules.
  • Online Resources: Use official snooker websites and social media channels.
  • Stay Updated: Seek out the moast up-to-date information regarding changes in the sport’s coverage.