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The Open will be broadcast on the Â鶹Éç up to and including the 2016 Championship, following a new deal announced today by Â鶹Éç Sport and The R&A.

The new deal extends Â鶹Éç Sport's current contract as exclusive live television broadcaster, and also covers radio, online, interactive and Â鶹Éç iPlayer.

This year's event, the 150th Anniversary of The Open Championship, will be the first ever to be broadcast in High Definition (HD). Over 40 hours of coverage will be broadcast over the four day competition on Â鶹Éç One, Â鶹Éç Two and the Â鶹Éç HD Channel, presented by Hazel Irvine and starting at 9am on Thursday 15 July. There will be approx 40 hours of content available on the Â鶹Éç Red Button.

Â鶹Éç Director of Sport, Barbara Slater, says: "We are delighted to have extended our partnership with The R&A to broadcast The Open, one of our most important crown jewel events. We look forward to continuing to bring top class golf coverage to the widest possible audiences through to 2016."

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, says: "The R&A has enjoyed a special relationship with the Â鶹Éç for more than 50 years. On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of The Open Championship, we are very pleased to have ensured the continuation of that relationship.

"It is very important to The R&A that The Open remains accessible to as many people as possible and the Â鶹Éç is an ideal partner in fulfilling this ambition across the United Kingdom."

LW