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BBC portfolio cut as ITV takes French Open.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/t...n-7704309.html

It never rains but it pours for poor old Auntie. Just a month after the Royal & Ancient Golf Club warned the BBC that its dwindling interest in golf could threaten its hold on future television coverage of The Open, ITV will rip another plank from the corporation's platform as a holder of major sports rights with more than 150 hours of coverage of the French Open tennis tournament.

Although the BBC's commitment to the year's second Grand Slam event sometimes appeared half-hearted, with much of the coverage available only via the red button, the loss is significant in that it demonstrates ITV's determination to challenge for a broad range of sports rights.

Bleeding Beeb: Sport the BBC has lost

Cricket England Test Matches – lost rights to Channel 4 in 1999.

World Rally Championship Lost rights to Channel 4 in 2001.

Boat Race Lost rights in 2004, regained in 2010.

Football FA Cup and England home internationals – lost in 2008 to ITV.

Rugby union Anglo-Welsh Cup – lost rights in 2009 to Sky.

Cricket The Ashes – lost rights to show highlights of 2010-11 series.

Athletics Lost the 2011 and 2013 World Championships to Channel 4 (BBC has rights for 2015 and 2017).

Formula One Reduced from this season to just 10 races, Sky will show full calendar.

Golf Masters – last year lost rights to all four days to Sky, but still hold rights to the final two days.

Tennis French Open – to be broadcast on ITV from this year.

Horse Racing Grand National – will be shown on Channel 4 from next year.