Which Network does the Best Job broadcasting the Majors?

Robert F

Hall of Fame
With the broadcasting fiasco of Roland Garros and the growing platform of pay to watch matches, I wondered what network people thought did the best job showing the Majors?

TC did an OK job for their part of the French. But NBC really played with us. Limited coverage on the weekends and having to buy Peacock to finish current matches or watch other big name matches?
Looking at Wimby-- ESPN will be working with their big brother ABC for most of the coverage.

Does anyone miss the days when a major network was in charge of the whole Major or do people really like the pay wall networks?

In the past few years TC has done a decent job often as second fiddle to the Majors. I still have frustrations that to see everything you need T2 and TC Plus.
They have a decent broadcast team. Big props to their summary show even on days they don't have rights to broadcast. TC probably does the best post production reviews/shows/previews.

The overall winner for me was ESPN back in its heydey when it would show matches on ESPN, ESPN2 and some times ESPN news to get really good coverage. Thought the team of Pat McEnroe, Brad Gilberd, Darren Cahile, Mary Jo Fernandez, Cliff Drysdale and even Chris Fowler all brought something to the table. On court analysis and graphics were pretty fun.
 
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Grafil Injection

Hall of Fame
If you live in the UK, the BBC coverage of Wimbles is pretty good. 3 terrestrial channels and about 9 other live streams, means you could watch virtually every game.

However, the refusal to offer low angles of view for the show courts is annoying (even though they record them for the odd replay). I prefer watching the smaller courts for that reason. Still, at least the main cameras aren't 1000ft away like they are at AO and USO.

Do you ever get to see the non show-courts at the other slams?
 

marc45

G.O.A.T.
With the broadcasting fiasco of Roland Garros and the growing platform of pay to watch matches, I wondered what network people thought did the best job showing the Majors?

TC did an OK job for their part of the French. But NBC really played with us. Limited coverage on the weekends and having to buy Peacock to finish current matches or watch other big name matches?
Looking at Wimby-- ESPN will be working with their big brother NBC for most of the coverage.

Does anyone miss the days when a major network was in charge of the whole Major or do people really like the pay wall networks?

In the past few years TC has done a decent job often as second fiddle to the Majors. I still have frustrations that to see everything you need T2 and TC Plus.
They have a decent broadcast team. Big props to their summary show even on days they don't have rights to broadcast. TC probably does the best post production reviews/shows/previews.

The overall winner for me was ESPN back in its heydey when it would show matches on ESPN, ESPN2 and some times ESPN news to get really good coverage. Thought the team of Pat McEnroe, Brad Gilberd, Darren Cahile, Mary Jo Fernandez, Cliff Drysdale and even Chris Fowler all brought something to the table. On court analysis and graphics were pretty fun.
"Looking at Wimby-- ESPN will be working with their big brother NBC for most of the coverage."

NBC has nothing to do with Wimbledon
 

ojo rojo

Legend
Wimbledon's stubbornly strict sponsorship regulations coupled with the BBC'S licence model, so far culminating in unbroken tennis coverage, unmarred by jarring advertising campaigns and corporate jingles, is sadly one of the last bastions of analogue yesteryear, which I will sorely miss when it's Victorian defences are inevitably breached by AI algorithms funded by Channel 4.

..probly
 

Robert F

Hall of Fame
If you live in the UK, the BBC coverage of Wimbles is pretty good. 3 terrestrial channels and about 9 other live streams, means you could watch virtually every game.

However, the refusal to offer low angles of view for the show courts is annoying (even though they record them for the odd replay). I prefer watching the smaller courts for that reason. Still, at least the main cameras aren't 1000ft away like they are at AO and USO.

Do you ever get to see the non show-courts at the other slams?
In the US it depends on who is covering it. TC plus will let you see any recorded court when they cover. I believe ESPN plus is the same. I didn't get Peacock(NBC pay site) for Roland Garros so I don't know if they showed all the other courts.
 

BumElbow

Professional
I can't stand pompous Brett Haber. Isn't it time he retired?

Match calling by former and current pros on Tennis Channel is currently the best. I am not a fan of the crew on their on-site studio desk though.

I do enjoy listening to Robbie Koenig. However, I can't stand the match calling of the woman yelling "genius!" and "brilliant!"
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame
I hate when they show live tennis being played. Why can't they spend more time in studio discussing all the many fascinating topics and interviewing Coco Gauff?
 
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Robert F

Hall of Fame
1/2 way through, I'll say ESPN has been doing a decent job. Good access to a lot of matches just through the main feed. Second Serve was a decent summary of the day. Didn't drop coverage when things went long. Transition to ABC was smooth.
 

tx10is

Semi-Pro
espn+ is great i can see any court/match at anytime plus the completed ones. i wish all the big tournaments were done by espn+
 

Rafa4LifeEver

G.O.A.T.
With the broadcasting fiasco of Roland Garros and the growing platform of pay to watch matches, I wondered what network people thought did the best job showing the Majors?

TC did an OK job for their part of the French. But NBC really played with us. Limited coverage on the weekends and having to buy Peacock to finish current matches or watch other big name matches?
Looking at Wimby-- ESPN will be working with their big brother ABC for most of the coverage.

Does anyone miss the days when a major network was in charge of the whole Major or do people really like the pay wall networks?

In the past few years TC has done a decent job often as second fiddle to the Majors. I still have frustrations that to see everything you need T2 and TC Plus.
They have a decent broadcast team. Big props to their summary show even on days they don't have rights to broadcast. TC probably does the best post production reviews/shows/previews.

The overall winner for me was ESPN back in its heydey when it would show matches on ESPN, ESPN2 and some times ESPN news to get really good coverage. Thought the team of Pat McEnroe, Brad Gilberd, Darren Cahile, Mary Jo Fernandez, Cliff Drysdale and even Chris Fowler all brought something to the table. On court analysis and graphics were pretty fun.
Eurosport
 

Robert F

Hall of Fame
I'll say kudos to ESPN/ABC did a much better job broadcasing Wimbledon compared to NBCs job with RG.
Good windows on ESPN/ESPN2. Days where they had side to side coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. I didn't feel like I needed ESPN+ for the main attractions of the tournament.
Also impressed that they did full coverage of Men's and Womens' Dubs finals.
 
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