Latest news with #AlexKay-Jelski
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
BBC Sport redundancies start as internal memo reveals staff concerns
Redundancies are now under way at BBC Sport, according to an internal memo which claims nine out of 10 of the department's staff accept reform is necessary. Alex Kay-Jelski, the corporation's director of sport, also said in an email to staff almost half have raised concerns about 'collaboration' between colleagues. A department-wide email sent out on Friday is one of the first major updates from Kay-Jelski since March when most staff were offered voluntary redundancy. The BBC plans to scrap 27 jobs, and Kay-Jelski now says he and bosses have 'accepted some voluntary redundancy requests' and 'are working through a few more with other interested people'. 'I can see and hear and feel how hard the uncertainty and change is for many of you,' he wrote in a department-wide email seen by Telegraph Sport. 'But we're doing it to protect ourselves and the future of the BBC and I can't think of a better reason than that.' The email details the results of recent feedback from staff amid a period of turbulence for the department. In a summer in which Gary Lineker stands back from Match of the Day duties, the survey concluded '88 per cent of you understand why the BBC needs to transform and change and 85 per cent of you have a manager who genuinely cares about your wellbeing.' However, the results also show 'only 40 per cent of you believe we hold ourselves and our team members accountable for results and only 56 per cent believe teams collaborate well'. 'Our changes are specifically aimed at addressing these issues and I'd hope to see these figures improve,' Kay-Jelski writes. As well as making cuts, Kay-Jelski has brought in a number of respected figures from Fleet Street. 'We've also managed to work with some teams to change and modernise their roles so they can have an even bigger influence on BBC Sport,' he added. New jobs in the department will go live on Tuesday as part of the reforms, he said. The changes come during a period of uncertainty affecting Britain's biggest sports broadcasters. Telegraph Sport reported on Thursday how every Sky Sports News presenter and some reporters are at risk of redundancy in another channel reboot that follows attempts to grow its Gen Z viewership. Sky insiders say a period of consultation is part of moves to become 'more agile and better equipped to serve audiences'. Pressures on the sector are undeniable, however, as viewing habits change in the digital age.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC and ECB agree new four-year rights deal
The BBC have agreed a rights deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which includes England men's and women's international highlights and live coverage of The Hundred for the next four years. There will be highlights of all red and white ball internationals across television, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with digital clips also included in the deal. Live coverage of the The Hundred men's and women's tournaments will also remain on BBC Sport each year, covering eight double-headers each season, including the opening matches and the finals across TV and iPlayer. This will see more live women's games screened on the BBC than there will be no live international matches - two men's and women's T20s were included in the preceding home summer begins with the women's white-ball series against West Indies on 21 May, before the one-off men's Test against Zimbabwe starts the following day. A women's white-ball series against India follows later in the summer, while the men play five Tests against the same opponents. The deal spans from 2025-2028 and also includes both home Ashes series in 2027. This adds to the BBC's ongoing audio deal with the ECB, with Test Match Special being broadcast until at least 2028, along with the new four-year contract to broadcast men's and women's county cricket."We're delighted to be extending our partnership, guaranteeing another four years of live cricket on BBC TV," said ECB Chief Commercial Officer Tony Singh."With our shared passion for growing women's sport, it's exciting that the BBC will be showing even more live women's games in The Hundred each year, while viewers will continue to have free access to highlights of England Men's and Women's home matches during what promises to be an exciting period for cricket in this country."Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, added: "Cricket isn't just a game of numbers, it's a game of stories. "From unforgettable Ashes battles to exhilarating last-ball victories in The Hundred, this renewed partnership ensures BBC Sport will continue to bring the drama, emotion and timeless moments of cricket to life for fans across the UK."
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Historic return of Rugby League Ashes series to be shown on BBC Sport
The Rugby League Ashes series is set to make a historic return this autumn for the first time since 2003. Rugby League fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage of all three matches (25 October, 1 November and 8 November) on BBC TV Channels and iPlayer/BBC Sport website. England will face off against Australia in a thrilling best of three Test match series, hosted at three iconic venues: Wembley Stadium, Everton's new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, and AMT Headingley Leeds. This tournament promises to be a landmark event concluding the 2025 rugby league season, showcasing the best of international competition and providing an exciting preview of the talent and intensity expected at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup (Autumn 2026). Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport said: 'For the first time in a generation the historic Rugby League Ashes is back, and we'll be bringing people together to enjoy all three matches in the series live on the BBC. We added the Super League to our extensive free-to-air rights portfolio last year so it's great to add the Ashes and bring Rugby League to as many fans as possible.' Rhodri Jones, Rugby League Commercial Managing Director, said: 'This is the news we've all been waiting for - everyone in the England set-up, and tens of thousands of England Rugby League fans. We welcome back Mal Meninga and the Kangaroos to England for an Ashes series, and we have three fantastic venues which will showcase the very best of International Rugby League. 'After 22 years this is rivalry reignited that will have a truly national resonance as England look to regain the Rugby League Ashes.' BBC Sport previously secured a historic three-year broadcast partnership for the Super League and Challenge Cup. CF
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC and ITV agree new four-year partnership to offer fans free-to-air live coverage of the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship
BBC Sport and ITV have agreed a new four-year partnership for the live free-to-air rights for the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship, which will run concurrently from 2026 to 2029. Both broadcasters will bring free-to-air coverage across TV and digital platforms until 2029 ITV will broadcast all England matches for the duration of the deal BBC retains audio commentary rights for every match on radio, BBC Sounds or online ITV will broadcast ten live matches each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal and deliver free-to-air live coverage across ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, plus highlights and exclusive content on ITV Sport social accounts and YouTube. BBC Sport will bring audiences live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the Men's Six Nations including five live matches involving Scotland and Wales each year, and comprehensive live coverage of the Women's Six Nations and U20 Six Nations across BBC TV Channels and iPlayer. As well as live audio commentary across multiple platforms including radio, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website and app. Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport says: 'This is a monumental deal for rugby fans and ITV as we ensure the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship stays on free-to-air television. We are also proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal including England's much revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to work with Six Nations Rugby and each union and federation moving forward.' Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport says: "This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. This is an exciting time for rugby, and we are proud to share every thrilling moment with audiences across the UK." Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: 'The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. By strengthening rugby's relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations. These partnerships allow us to maximise audience reach whilst generating critical revenue for the game, enabling each Union and Federation to protect and grow the sport in their country in the coming years.' 'The increased commitment from the free to air sector is testament to the appeal and status of our iconic Championships. The commercial environment in which rugby is operating is extremely challenging and the battle for audience attention has never been greater, but the Six Nations stands alongside the very greatest occasions in world sport, which is reflected by these partnerships. Going into another incredible conclusion to the Men's Championship, all parties are incredibly excited to build on this momentum and audience growth, to deliver the best possible experience for fans over the next four years.' ITV Sports rights portfolio includes the Women's Euros 2025, The FA Cup, Men's Euros 2028, Men's FIFA World Cup 2026, Men's FIFA World Cup 2030, Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship, ITV Horse Racing, LIV Golf and the Carabao Cup among many other sporting highlights. BBC Sport is the home of the Women's Six Nations 2025 across linear TV and iPlayer starting later this month (22 March), along with exclusive coverage of every match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England this summer, available live on TV, iPlayer, and the red button. BBC Sport's rights portfolio also includes the Olympic Games, The FA Cup, Men's Euro 2028, Women's Euros 2025, Men's FIFA World Cup 2026, Men's FIFA World Cup 2030, Women's Super League, Wimbledon Championships, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 and Match of The Day (Premier League and Champions League highlights). HM4
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC & ITV agree new four-year Six Nations rights deal
BBC Sport and ITV have agreed a new four-year deal for the live free-to-air rights for the Men's Six Nations to BBC will provide live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five live matches involving Scotland and Wales each will broadcast 10 live games each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal, which starts in Sport will also offer live coverage of the Women's Six Nations and Under-20 Six Nations across TV and iPlayer, and continue providing live audio commentary across multiple platforms including radio, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app."This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible," director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said."We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer."This is an exciting time for rugby, and we are proud to share every thrilling moment with audiences across the UK."ITV director of sport Niall Sloane said it was a "monumental deal for rugby fans"."We are proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal including England's much revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland and Wales," he added."The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to work with Six Nations Rugby and each union and federation moving forward."In January, RugbyPass reported that TNT Sports were considering bidding for the rights,, external but TNT responded by saying it would be "very challenging", external to buy because of the links to free-to-air month England captain Maro Itoje called for Six Nations organisers to keep the championship on free-to-air TV, external on the grounds that rugby union needs more Nations Rugby chief executive Tom Harrison added: "The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated."By strengthening rugby's relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations."
