BBC Deal For Champions League of Darts

[Rogg]

They're using a picture of Gary Anderson in the announcement flyer. So I'm tipping it's got fuck all to do with him then.

They used Michael Van Gerwen in the first one

I'm just waiting for someone to respond on Twitter saying "you've decided to use regulation boards"

Graeme Fisher@GrafishGraeme
@OfficialPDC going to be using regulation trebles from now on ?

[Justin Credible]

THE Professional Darts Corporation will break new ground once again in 2016 by staging its first tournament live on BBC Sport following an exciting new deal to introduce the Champions League of Darts to the circuit in September.

The eight-player tournament will be held on September 24-25 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff to kick off a new era for the sport on terrestrial television.

Featuring the leading eight players from the PDC Order of Merit following July's BetVictor World Matchplay, the Champions League of Darts will see the stars split into two groups of four players.

Following the round-robin phase, the top two players from each group will then progress to the knockout semi-finals and final, with a huge £100,000 first prize on offer for the eventual champion.

"The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting new era," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

"The Champions League of Darts will bring the very best players in world darts - the top eight from the PDC Order of Merit - to BBC screens for an exciting, quick-fire tournament.

"In addition, it's fantastic for us to be taking the Champions League of Darts to Cardiff. Welsh fans love their darts and this will be another great opportunity for them to see the sport's biggest names live.

"Both live crowds and TV audiences have continued to soar for PDC tournaments in the last year, and it's a great reflection for us that the BBC were keen to add the Champions League of Darts to their sporting portfolio."

Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport says: “We are very pleased to be showing the inaugural Champions League of Darts on the BBC for what is promised to be a thrilling and innovative tournament.

“Darts has always had wide appeal and it is great that audiences will get the chance to see all the action from the world’s top players live on BBC Two and across our platforms.“

Further details about ticketing for the Champions League of Darts will be announced at www.pdc.tv/tickets in due course.

* The Players Championship treble-header at the Barnsley Metrodome which was originally scheduled for September 23-25 will now be played from September 21-23.

[Justin Credible]

ALL HAIL THE PDC

[samrev180]

This should just about finish the BDO haha

[Rogg]

wow!

[Grazer]

So a new tournament to be shown on what's been the place of the BDO?? Great timing by the PDC!!!

[Justin Credible]

mushrooms will be crying their eyes out

[Justin Credible]

[M H]

All the gimps seething on Twitter because BBC were dropping Lakeside will be suicidal now

[Lister of Smeg]

Can you hear the seething

[sennafan24]

Bloody hell.

The PDC have pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

[Rogg]

That is a lot bigger than I was expecting!

"The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting new era," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

[Justin Credible]

lets the crying commence

[Jockenaria]

Proper darts on the beeb

[Grazer]

Just got to hope the BBC get serious about their coverage though I doubt the PDC will let them get away with anything less

[M H]

That is a lot bigger than I was expecting!

"The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting new era," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

Didn't go unnoticed mate, a direct dig at Auntie Sue

[Justin Credible]

oche, ifm, mcginty, fatty watts, redman, pygmy dolecum, davcol etc all will be seething

[fatknut]

"The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting #newera," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

Twisting the knife with the choice of words there? BDO looking their worst, "Darts" getting canned from BBC, and look what it's getting replaced with....REAL DARTS!

Awesome news...

edit: haha everyone else picked up on it, not just a funny coincidence then

[Rogg]

That is a lot bigger than I was expecting!

"The BBC has a long history of broadcasting darts but this will be the start of an exciting new era," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

Didn't go unnoticed mate, a direct dig at Auntie Sue

And an announcement that was more than on time, it was a couple of minutes early. Ouch.

[M H]

Just got to hope the BBC get serious about their coverage though I doubt the PDC will let them get away with anything less

Won't be BG and Colin Murray making stupid comments on a balcony