BBC executives fear their 70 years of exclusive rights to the Wimbledon tennis championships might end in July in the face of a multi-million pound assault from Rupert Murdoch. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is considering bids from the Murdoch-owned BSkyB television and Talk Radio, in which he has a 20% stake. The BBC’s contract to cover the event on radio and television, ends after this year’s two-week championship in July and the future of the tournament is up for grabs with the possibility that BSkyB and Talk Radio could win a five year deal. Only the Wimbledon finals are “listed” protected by government for the public service broadcaster.