The BBC has retained the rights to cover the major snooker championships until the end of the 2016-17 season.

Coverage of the World Snooker Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters will be broadcast on television, over the internet and via the BBC iPlayer platform.

"This is wonderful news for the many millions of snooker fans in the UK," World Snooker boss Barry Hearn said.

The Masters, which takes place at Alexandra Palace in London, is first up from January 13, followed by the 2013 World Championship between April 20 and May 6.

"The World Championship, the UK Championship and the Masters are among the highlights of the sporting calendar, so it's terrific that they will remain on terrestrial television," Hearn added.

"The BBC remains one of our most important partners and we look forward to many years working with them."

More than 260 hours of snooker coverage will be broadcast by the BBC throughout the current season.