BBC extends Premier League highlights deal

The BBC have retained the right to show highlights of Premier League matches in their Saturday night 'Match of the Day' programme until 2013.

Under the terms of the new contract, announced today, the BBC are allowed to show up to 30 minutes of each game from 2010-11 until 2012-13.

The Sunday programme Match of the Day Two (MOTD2) will also be made available on the internet from the Tuesday after it is broadcast.

Director of BBC Sport Roger Mosey said: "Match of the Day is a major landmark for the BBC, and we're delighted they will continue to showcase the best of the Premier League for a further three years.

"The programme's audiences have been growing strongly during the current contract, and it remains the place where most people in the UK watch top league action."

Football highlights will be available on BBC iPlayer for the first time and Mosey added: "It's also great for fans to have MOTD2 on the BBC iPlayer for the first time - meaning we have a rich array of football content online."

The BBC kept their broadcasting rights with a bid matching the previous contract, the Premier League confirmed.

League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The free-to-air highlights are a critical part of the Premier League's broadcast presence; helping the competition and our clubs reach the maximum domestic audience possible.

"The BBC's commitment to the Premier League, our clubs and their fans through Match of the Day, the Sunday morning repeat and Match of the Day Two has been an undoubted success and we are pleased to see our relationship continue."