The Sport Thread

What is the rationale for showing these programmes?

I'd have thought that was obvious, it's to serve the largest promotion of the audience possible. Which is fair enough, even if you need repeats to do that.

You really should mention it more...........
Get a grip. You're a lucky man if that's all you have to be frustrated about.

The BBC is not just a sports broadcaster; it doesn't have a sports specific channel. It has to cater for other tastes at times. There are people who don't always want to watch tennis, so the BBC is providing a break in the action for them. It's still on BBC1 remember. I notice people don't complain when ITV is only showing French open Tennis on ITV4 during the week, with no action on ITV.

This is what I would do with the BBC score dog if they insist on using a FIFA style.

It's similar to the one deployed on ESPN in the states.

http://www.mromega.co.uk/images/confed_bbc.png

The excuse doesn't wash about providing content for other viewers when they've already had multiple opportunities to see the scheduled programmes and the slot only exists because it used to be home to kids shows - they didn't care about serving adults when Wimbledon only broke for CBBC.

The argument that BBC isn't just a sports channel and needs to provide alternative programming might carry some weight if it wasn't repeats from 5 years ago and 2 years ago during the period in which the channel has its largest audience. If it was a new programme or one which was consistently placed in the schedule then you might have some argument that the tennis should give way but these programmes are at best fillers.

As someone with no interest in tennis, I will choose to watch little or no Wimbledon coverage next week. I still think it makes more sense to show live tennis if it is available though. They should really just schedule tennis and then show these filler programmes when it rains.

As for ITV, they are a commercial broadcaster and need to cater to the advertisers. The BBC situation is entirely different.

I like that, thats much better mromega, I noticed the other broadcasters have opted for the regular scoreboard presumably this is the dirty feed.

If anyone is interested, this is what IMG Sports Media is showing

http://www.imgprogramming.com/media/218037/Wimbledon%202013%20Marketing%20Materials.pdf

That is comprehensive isnt it, its very likely as is always this will go out encrypted on 7e and 10e.

I think the Wimbledon World feed is on 7w on Abu Dhabi sports, I'll give it a go and see if its there nearer the time.

Eastbourne coverage from the BBC using WTA tour graphics (at least for the Women's coverage) now on air. No BBC overtype at all.

..... limitations of coverage revealed with a spectator either injured or collapsed in the stands play suspended, no additional coverage other than Centre available. Inverdale doing interview fillers in the interim.