BBC to broadcast World Seniors Snooker Championship

The BBC will broadcast live coverage of the ROKiT Phones World Seniors Snooker Championship for the first time this August.

Following on almost immediately from its coverage of the 2020 World Snooker Championship, the corporation will broadcast every match from the seniors version of the tournament, which is also being staged at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre, from 19-22 August. 

Live coverage of all four days of the World Seniors Championship will be broadcast on the BBC’s digital platforms, including on TV via the Red Button, as well as online via the BBC Sport website and app and BBC iPlayer.

Many of the sport’s all-time greats will be aiming to make more memories at the Crucible when the four-day tournament gets underway on Wednesday, 19 August.

Defending champion Jimmy White and Stephen Hendry will headline this year’s event, which will be played behind closed doors.

Six-time World Championship finalist White and seven-time world champion Hendry, along with 1997 world champion Ken Doherty and UK Seniors champion Michael Judge are the four seeded players.

Other notable names including 1985 world champion Dennis Taylor, 1986 winner Joe Johnson, former World Championship runner-up Nigel Bond and former world number two Tony Knowles are also in the draw, which was conducted live on BBC Two during the recent World Championship.

Several international competitors have been left unable to travel and qualifying events were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but despite that the tournament promises to deliver even more drama and entertainment at the Crucible following the climax of the World Championship, won by Ronnie O’Sullivan.

All matches throughout the World Seniors Championship will be played over the best of seven frames, except for the final which will be the best of nine.

The BBC takes over live coverage of the World Seniors Championship from dedicated free-to-air sports channel FreeSports, which has broadcast this tournament, as well as other major World Seniors events, over the past couple of years.

Commenting on the BBC’s coverage, Jason Francis, World Seniors Snooker chairman said:

“The ROKiT Phones World Seniors Snooker Tour has gone from strength to strength and despite these difficult times globally we are delighted to be able to deliver a truly world class event live on the BBC and around the world.

“I would like to thank our title sponsor ROKiT Phones for their continued support and look forward to seeing some fantastic snooker played later this month.”

Commentary throughout the four-day event will be led by Rob Walker, along with several of the tournament participants including Dennis Taylor, Ken Doherty, Joe Johnson and Peter Lines, as well as former professional Mike Dunn.

Scroll down for full details of the BBC’s coverage the 2020 tournament, including TV times and match schedule. All of the BBC’s live coverage will be available to watch and catch-up online via the BBC iPlayer.

For tournament updates and further information about the 2020 ROKiT Phones World Seniors Snooker Championship, visit the WPBSA website – wpbsa.com – while live scores can be found via WPBSA SnookerScores.

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WEDNESDAY 19th AUGUST

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THURSDAY 20th AUGUST

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FRIDAY 21st AUGUST

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FRIDAY 21st AUGUST

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