The BBC has announced it has signed a new four year deal to remain the exclusive broadcaster of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The new deal, which starts in 2018, will see the BBC commit to broadcasting from the event until the end of 2021 with coverage across TV, radio and online.
Tony Hall, BBC director-general, said: “The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always a major highlight of the spring schedule. I’m delighted that we will be working with the brilliant RHS team for another four years. It’s a show that is loved by the public and its natural home is on the BBC. Not only that, the BBC will also expand its coverage to include other RHS events around the country. Across our channels we will be able to bring the magic of these wonderful events to audiences across the country.”
The deal also includes a commitment to broadcasting exclusively from the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. It will cover the new RHS Garden at Bridgewater and other opportunities to bring RHS content to wider audiences through Gardener’s World. In addition, the corporation will launch new daytime series following Britain In Bloom, due on air in 2018.
Sue Biggs, RHS director general, said: “We are thrilled to have extended our partnership with the BBC across all its platforms until 2021 and are so excited about the increased opportunities presented by the BBC’s expanded coverage of our work, which includes a new TV series on our flagship Britain in Bloom campaign. We look forward to working with the very talented teams across the BBC for another four years.
Coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is produced by BBC Studios’ Unscripted Unit.