World Snooker Limited has renewed its media rights distribution partnership with IMG Sports Media for another five years. The new deal will last until the end of the 2015/2016 season and include all rights to events – including the world championships, UK championship and China Open - apart from domestic media deals.

IMG Sports Media’s marketing director Adam Kelly said of the deal: ““IMG Sports Media and World Snooker Ltd have managed to increase the audience, exposure and reach of the World Snooker tournaments over the past three years while simultaneously increasing license fee revenues.”

He added: “IMG’s long term ambition is to continue to educate broadcasters worldwide so they understand the appeal of this growing sport. The development in Asia is phenomenal and we hope to further capitalise on this momentum in the coming months.”

Mike Pearce, commercial director of World Snooker Limited, called snooker’s international growth in recent years “exceptional” and said: “Snooker is being enjoyed by a growing number of fans around the world through our international broadcast partnerships. In partnership with IMG we are looking to take the sport to even more territories and expose our great sport to millions of more fans.”

No financial details were disclosed by IMG, but it is believed the agency is likely to scoop a six figure sum in commission during each year of the deal.