ESPN coverage of slams is horrible

[backhander]

Thought I appreciate being able to see all 4 slams on TV, I think ESPN's coverage is horrible. First of all, what's the deal with having certain days where there is no coverage at all? Not everyone has the Tennis Channel to watch matches on those off days (if that is your ploy to get people to get the Tennis Channel, shame on you).

In addition, the number of matches they show is just not good at all, I mean USA did such a great job with the US Open and French Open, it's a shame that now ESPN has coverage of all 4 slams we as viewers are suffering. Or atleast I think I am

advise to ESPN, try to do as good a job as USA did.

 

[Carsomyr]

Agreed. Their online service, ESPN3, allows viewers to watch earlier matches but I believe it is only available to American audiences. Also, neither the television network or the online service covered early round matches on Tuesday.

 

[Fee]

ESPN is not the lead broadcaster for Roland Garros. Tennis Channel owns the RG rights and subleases time to ESPN.

ESPN owns the rights to the Aus Open, Wimbledon, and the USO and shares them with TC. NBC owns weekend network TV rights to RG and Wimbledon, CBS owns the USO. These contracts have a lot to do with what we see at each of the slams. Last year, TTC was never allowed to show a match on Arthur Ashe during their USO broadcasts because that was ESPN's exclusive court.

 

[OKUSA]

i'm glad JMac is working for Tennis Channel so he gets to cover the good matches

 

[drakulie]

USA rocked with their coverage. I miss them.

 

[vbranis]

USA rocked with their coverage. I miss them.

So true...

 

[MotherMarjorie]

Mother Marjorie remembers a time in the mid-80's when the only French Open coverage provided were the men's and women's finals by NBC. The resolution was sketchy and it was difficult to track the ball on the television screen.

Mother Marjorie remembers a time before the Australian Open moved to Melbourne Park in 1988, that the Australian Open wasn't even televised in the United States.

As a tennis player/fan in the US, I think we actually have more Grand Slam tennis coverage (especially the early rounds), but have to pay for it now. Even the Australian Open's inaugural broadcast to the US was provided by ESPN (pay).

 

[kslick]

USA rocked with their coverage. I miss them.

Agree. Their night match coverage was excellent.

 

[himynameisNIKE]

ESPN is not the lead broadcaster for Roland Garros. Tennis Channel owns the RG rights and subleases time to ESPN.

ESPN owns the rights to the Aus Open, Wimbledon, and the USO and shares them with TC. NBC owns weekend network TV rights to RG and Wimbledon, CBS owns the USO. These contracts have a lot to do with what we see at each of the slams. Last year, TTC was never allowed to show a match on Arthur Ashe during their USO broadcasts because that was ESPN's exclusive court.

mhmm....but their coverage still sucks

 

[The_Question]

I don't really care too much for ESPN's coverage on mostly American players...frankly, I much prefer to watch Federer's match than Venus...

 

[Fee]

mhmm....but their coverage still sucks

Yes, I mostly agree. But, ESPN does not program for tennis fans, they believe that people like the members of this forum will tune in no matter what. ESPN programs for general sports fans and channel surfers, that is why they will choose a Roddick/Williams sister/Federer blow out over a gripping five setter between two well liked European dudes. They can increase their ratings with the known name.

 

[Backbored]

I don't really care too much for ESPN's coverage on mostly American players...frankly, I much prefer to watch Federer's match than Venus...

That’s my major beef with them as well. I like to watch good tennis, which means the top players. ESPN emphasizes American players no matter how bad, over the top ten players. Also they spend more time interviewing players or showing little vignettes on back stories, all during LIVE coverage. Makes my head explode during Roger or Rafa’s games.

 

[himynameisNIKE]

at least they are showing monfils right now and not roddick

 

[Backbored]

at least they are showing monfils right now and not roddick

I thought that they were in rain delay?

 

[himynameisNIKE]

I thought that they were in rain delay?

they just started the matches

 

[zak425]

Absolutely agree. Whats worse is when they replay a Venus match from that day, while a much better match is going on live. I am here in the states and I can agree that ESPN's whole deal is to show the Americans as much as possible, but even in that they suck. I'd rather watch Isner than Venus. Of course as stated they always go to the matches with the Names, not play. I cant wait to be done with cable.

 

[Backbored]

they just started the matches

Thanks, I would be missing play right now if not for you!

 

[himynameisNIKE]

Thanks, I would be missing play right now if not for you!

haha no problem

 

[vbranis]

edit: never mind

 

[The_Question]

And guess what?? They're showing the Venus match...again...

 

[Backbored]

And guess what?? They're showing the Venus match...again...

What is this, like the 3rd time today!

 

[jackson vile]

Oh no, you are incorrect. I want to watch the Venus match for the 6 time, I just can't get enough of that same match when other matches are going on or unseen matches could be showed.

Go ESPN!!!

 

[Scientist]

It was such an exciting match too, I love watching Venus play, taking twenty seconds before every serve, tossing the ball and catching it, and doing it again, a hundred times. I also love the bored, sleepy crowd. Thrilling.

 

[Backbored]

It was such an exciting match too, I love watching Venus play, taking twenty seconds before every serve, tossing the ball and catching it, and doing it again, a hundred times. I also love the bored, sleepy crowd. Thrilling.

You forgot how many times she adjusts her bra.:shock:

 

[backhander]

I don't get it, why don't they just show matches that people haven't seen yet. oh and stop it with the split screen, i hate the split screen.

 

[Shaolin]

ESPN Tennis Coverage protocol:

-Long Venus/Serna opening intro segment

-Show every possible second of Venus or Serena match

-On court post match interview of Venus/Serena

-Post match news conference of Venus/Serena, to be shown in its entirety

-Post match sit down interview with Venus/Serena with Pam Shriver or other

-Discussions of Williams sister's upcoming matches

-Any possible doubles footage of Williams sisters

-Previous round Venus/Serena match

-Coverage of any possible women's match

-If no other options, show last 5 games of Federer's match or last 2 games of an epic, compelling 5 set men's match

 

[Backbored]

ESPN Tennis Coverage protocol:

-Long Venus/Serna opening intro segment

-Show every possible second of Venus or Serena match

-On court post match interview of Venus/Serena

-Post match news conference of Venus/Serena, to be shown in its entirety

-Post match sit down interview with Venus/Serena with Pam Shriver or other

-Discussions of Williams sister's upcoming matches

-Any possible doubles footage of Williams sisters

-Previous round Venus/Serena match

-Coverage of any possible women's match

-If no other options, show last 5 games of Federer's match or last 2 games of an epic, compelling 5 set men's match

So true and this is during LIVE games.

 

[sillymonkey]

ESPN Tennis Coverage protocol:

-Long Venus/Serna opening intro segment

-Show every possible second of Venus or Serena match

-On court post match interview of Venus/Serena

-Post match news conference of Venus/Serena, to be shown in its entirety

-Post match sit down interview with Venus/Serena with Pam Shriver or other

-Discussions of Williams sister's upcoming matches

-Any possible doubles footage of Williams sisters

-Previous round Venus/Serena match

-Coverage of any possible women's match

-If no other options, show last 5 games of Federer's match or last 2 games of an epic, compelling 5 set men's match

Sad & True, but you forgot the constant Roddick match replays and pathetic pro-american commentary [on clay?!?]

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

Sad & True, but you forgot the constant Roddick match replays and pathetic pro-american commentary [on clay?!?]

Throw Sharapova in there while you're at it. They covered her match over Henin's.

 

[Backbored]

Sad & True, but you forgot the constant Roddick match replays and pathetic pro-american commentary [on clay?!?]

Also Patrick would never criticize an American player because of his position as the Davis Cup captain. He however has no problem criticizing any of the other players.

 

[Shaolin]

So true and this is during LIVE games.

But of course!

Sad & True, but you forgot the constant Roddick match replays and pathetic pro-american commentary [on clay?!?]

Yes they will also show Roddick, how could I forget. They also will (after all Williams sisters options are exhausted) kindly give a 5 minute recap of all of the great matches that were missed while they devoted 7 straight hours to american player coverage. Just to rub it in our face how bad their coverage is.

 

[Chezbeeno]

psssssst Channelsurfing.net, but you didn't heard that

seriously, picture can be good, and you can watch any of the bigger matches

 

[kanamit]

I only do online streams now, sometimes ESPN360, sometimes one from Europe. Why bother even watching tennis on cable? It's just a lot of unwatchable advertisements and poor programming decisions that reveal an annoying bias to American players. In fact cable television in general has been unwatchable for years.

 

[forzamilan90]

espn3 is all right, but you need good connection and it still doesn't show everything; their coverage is appalling to be honest

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

ESPN showing taped Serena double breadstick over live tennis.

Let the outrage commence....

 

[Brian Purdie]

ESPN showing taped Serena double breadstick over live tennis.

Let the outrage commence....

i was going to comment on it myself. Isner, Cilic, Tsonga, Soderling all playing live right now. Should have gotten Direct TV

 

[Backbored]

ESPN showing taped Serena double breadstick over live tennis.

Let the outrage commence....

Today’s coverage has been horrible. Nothing but washed out has been American men and American women attention !@$%S.

 

[fundrazer]

As soon as I saw that stupid intro I knew this would happen. Normally they cut right to live matches, but when they do the intro...they usually plan on talking about nothing and then showing tape delayed matches...ugh.

I'd be watching Tsonga vs de Bakker if livestreams weren't crashing my computer...

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

Today’s coverage has been horrible. Nothing but washed out has been American men and American women attention !@$%S.

Yeah it's bad enough TC showed the Serena match over the Djokovic and Nadal matches, then cuts to Fish's match which had to go on forever and basically missed the entire Murray/Baggy match. It's been an awful day.

 

[Backbored]

Yeah it's bad enough TC showed the Serena match over the Djokovic and Nadal matches, then cuts to Fish's match which had to go on forever and basically missed the entire Murray/Baggy match. It's been an awful day.

Looks like you and I where trying to watch the same games. I’m disgusted.

 

[sillymonkey]

Why in the world is ESPN showing Serena's taped match?? It's hours and hours old, there is LIVE tennis right now. Plus, it was a one-sided slugfest/beatdown.
For pete's sake, show the live stuff as it happens!!! Isn't that the point!

 

[fedfan08]

Today’s coverage has been horrible. Nothing but washed out has been American men and American women attention !@$%S.

I'm lucky in that I have DirecTV and at least ESPN doesn't shut off the extra court coverage when they come on TV. Tomorrow will really suck cuz once NBC comes on the air ESPN, TTC, DirecTV are shut down. :evil:

 

[sillymonkey]

I'm lucky in that I have DirecTV and at least ESPN doesn't shut off the extra court coverage when they come on TV. Tomorrow will really suck cuz once NBC comes on the air ESPN, TTC, DirecTV are shut down. :evil:

oh no...will we get dick enberg?

 

[vbranis]

Gotta love taped coverage of blowouts over live tennis. I mean, who in their right mind wants to watch the 4th set of Tsonga - De Bakker over a Serena or Venus borefest from a few hours ago?

 

[fedfan08]

oh no...will we get dick enberg?

no he's cbs. we get ted robinson on nbc.

 

[Serendipitous]

Gotta love taped coverage of blowouts over live tennis. I mean, who in their right mind wants to watch the 4th set of Tsonga - De Bakker over a Serena or Venus straight set win from a few hours ago?

I know, this is ridiculous.....:evil::evil:

 

[Backbored]

Hey all, you guys and gals might want to edit out who wins what in your messages. That way the PTB want delete the entire thread.

I just gave up watching for the time being. I pop over from time to time hoping for live tennis.

 

[SteveI]

Thought I appreciate being able to see all 4 slams on TV, I think ESPN's coverage is horrible. First of all, what's the deal with having certain days where there is no coverage at all? Not everyone has the Tennis Channel to watch matches on those off days (if that is your ploy to get people to get the Tennis Channel, shame on you).

In addition, the number of matches they show is just not good at all, I mean USA did such a great job with the US Open and French Open, it's a shame that now ESPN has coverage of all 4 slams we as viewers are suffering. Or atleast I think I am

advise to ESPN, try to do as good a job as USA did.

The coverage is not the best to be sure. ESPN knows what folks watch.. and sorry to say.. it is not tennis. ESPN did not get to be the biggest and best by being unaware of their markets. Hope you are not a hockey fan.. :-(

I find that for me.. their coverage is fine.. otherwise if more was offered.. I would never get to play tennis..

 

[SteveI]

Why in the world is ESPN showing Serena's taped match?? It's hours and hours old, there is LIVE tennis right now. Plus, it was a one-sided slugfest/beatdown.
For pete's sake, show the live stuff as it happens!!! Isn't that the point!

Hummmmm... she is USA player.. and they are going to show her and Venus over just about anyone. I know many TT members are less than fans of da sisters.. but THE USTA, ITF and ESPN love them. BTW... nice tennis dress Venus..I know this is old news.. but YIKES!!!

 

[fedfan08]

Hummmmm... she is USA player.. and they are going to show her and Venus over just about anyone. I know many TT members are less than fans of da sisters.. but THE USTA, ITF and ESPN love them. BTW... nice tennis dress Venus..I know this is old news.. but YIKES!!!

every other day this week ESPN came on and showed live tennis (except during rain delays of course). Today was a blockbuster day I know, but there are several good women's matches going on right now (seeded players) which ESPN could be showing. Sad thing is TTC can't take all the coverage because they don't reach enough households. So they have to lease coverage to ESPN.