The BBC has today announced that following a competitive tender, Whisper North has won the contract to produce BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the prestigious annual celebration of sport.
The tender was launched in January and from the field of shortlisted tenderers, Whisper North’s bid scored highest against the published criteria. Whisper North will begin producing Sports Personality of the Year from 2024 and will work closely with BBC Sport to ensure the effective and successful delivery of the programme.
More details about this year’s award ceremony will be announced in due course.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year was previously put out to tender in 2019 as part of the BBC’s contestability obligations and was awarded to BBC Sport’s in-house production team (Sport Productions). Sport Productions did not compete this time, thereby supporting the BBC’s wider commitment to the UK’s creative production sector.
Mark Cole, Managing Director, Whisper, commented: “BBC Sports Personality of the Year brings together many of the elements Whisper love to produce and celebrate: live events, awards shows, sporting moments, superstars and entertainment.
“We celebrate sport and athletes across many productions throughout the year, so to be working with the BBC on this prestigious end of year show feels a fitting way to conclude what will be an incredible year of sporting achievement and endeavour.
“With the BBC, we will be seeking to deliver a bold and ambitious show that will appeal to a wide audience, driven by compelling and entertaining story-telling.
“Sport has a brilliant power to bring everyone together and impact change. To be able to celebrate that and showcase the heroes that influence and inspire so many is a privilege that we will, as usual, meet with the focus and huge ambition it deserves.”
