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BBC Unveils Star-Studded Lineup for World Snooker Championship Coverage
The BBC has announced its team of expert pundits and commentators for the highly anticipated 2025 World Snooker Championship, where reigning champion Kyren Wilson faces the challenge of the ‘Crucible curse’. No defending champion has successfully retained the title the following year since 1977. The public broadcaster will continue its long-standing tradition of broadcasting snooker’s premier tournament, with comprehensive coverage spearheaded by lead presenter Hazel Irvine.
Expert Presenters and On-Screen Team
Irvine will be supported by fellow presenters Seema Jaswal and Rishi Persad, alongside reporting from Shabnam Younus-Jewell and Abigail Davis. Viewers are familiar with this core presenting team who regularly front the BBC’s coverage from the Crucible Theatre, in addition to a wealth of esteemed figures from the sport.
Snooker Legends and Player Pundits
Audiences can look forward to expert analysis from snooker legends including Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Parrott, Ken Doherty, Dennis Taylor, and John Virgo. Current players, such as Shaun Murphy, will also provide insights.
Despite still competing in the Sheffield tournament, Murphy has become a regular contributor to both commentary and studio analysis for the BBC. This is notable given his past concerns regarding the broadcaster’s promotion of snooker.
While reigning world champion Wilson and Mark Allen have also previously featured on BBC broadcasts during competitions, confirmation beyond Murphy regarding player participation in the broadcast team is still pending.
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BBC Sport Director Statement
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, commented: “This year’s World Championship promises captivating displays of skill, tactical gameplay, and intense drama, and fans watching at home will not miss any of the action on BBC Sport. With extensive coverage from Sheffield across TV channels, iPlayer, 5 Live, and the BBC Sport website and app, our expert presenting, commentary, and in-depth analysis will ensure audiences feel immersed in the Crucible atmosphere.”
Extensive Multi-Platform Coverage
The BBC is set to broadcast every single shot from the prestigious Sheffield venue across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, and iPlayer. A nightly highlights programme, titled ‘Snooker Extra’, will be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer each evening between April 19th and May 5th.
BBC 5 Live radio will provide regular updates and features directly from Sheffield, with reporter Jamie Broughton offering live coverage from the World Championship. The BBC Sport website and app will deliver session-by-session text updates and live commentary for the semi-finals and the final matches.
Future of the Crucible and Broadcast Deal
Although questions persist regarding the long-term future of the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre, amidst discussions about potentially relocating the prestigious event to Saudi Arabia, the BBC and World Snooker Tour have agreed to extend their broadcast agreement until 2032.
This new deal represents a five-year extension and also encompasses the UK Championship and Masters tournaments, guaranteeing that all three Triple Crown events will remain accessible on free-to-air television.
In 2024, the BBC’s coverage of these key British tournaments attracted an impressive 33.9 million streams across iPlayer and the BBC website, with over 16 million viewers tuning in via traditional television broadcasts.