28 March 2013

Only in Our Dreams

The headline said, 'World chess agrees new TV deal with BBC', followed by this story...

WORLD CHESS and the BBC have agreed a three-year contract that ensures the sport's major events will be on terrestrial television until at least 2017.

The BBC will be host broadcaster of the World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters until the end of the 2016-17 season under the terms of the new agreement.

The three major events on the calendar will be broadcast on television, online and via the BBC iPlayer, with the corporation committing to over 260 hours of coverage.

"This is wonderful news for the many millions of chess fans throughout the UK who love watching the sport on the BBC," World Chess chairman Gimme Gravy said.

"Last year's World Championship was watched by 28.5 million people which proves what a wide appeal there is for chess.

"The World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters are among the highlights of the sporting calendar so it's terrific that they will remain on terrestrial television."

Director of BBC Sport Ima Honcho added: "The World Chess Championships are an important part of our sports rights portfolio and we're delighted to be continuing our coverage of these three major tournaments."

The news was also welcomed by players, with world number one and UK Champion Chuck Mate adding: "Everyone's first memories of chess are watching the big events on the BBC, so it's great for the players and fans to know that those tournaments will be on terrestrial TV for at least the next four years."

...For the real story, see World snooker agrees new TV deal with BBC (Independent.ie). At what point did you realize the story was a spoof? At 'World Championship was watched by 28.5 million people'?

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