ESPN has the broadcast rights for Wimbledon coverage in 2022. The rest of the year is dominated by the Tennis Channel. Each carrier has one thing that they do significantly better than the other. Today I am focusing on one area where the Tennis Channel totally kicks ESPN’s butt.
For unknown reasons that completely defy logic, ESPN+ has a tendency to omit identifying information from the thumbnails of tennis matches available for on-demand streaming. In the early rounds when there is a lot of tennis being played, this can make it a challenge to find a match I want to watch.
Additionally, ESPN only seems to be aware that doubles is an actual event when one of their media darlings steps onto the court with a partner. Otherwise, those matches are labeled “Ladies’ Doubles” and “Gentlemen’s Doubles.” Repeatedly clicking on all the in-progress matches to find a specific player is less than satisfactory. Additionally, since tennis scheduling demands an “Order of Play” approach, there is no convenient way to know if a particular player of interest is even playing yet.
It is a crazy oversight when coupled with the fact that ESPN obviously has a lot more production support capacity than the Tennis Channel. This is evidenced by the fact that ESPN inserts commercials into their on-demand streams of matches that were not televised. They are also significantly more likely to overlay non-US commentators on matches that did not have live match coverage on this side of the pond. The Tennis Channel does neither of those things.
It would be such a small thing to actually label each match. It is a glaring oversight that could be easily corrected. Maybe ESPN is unaware that there is even an issue.
Let ‘em know, Teresa!! 🙌🙌
Then Steve and I will have you to thank when we can locate the Sock/Gauff match with ease! 😉
Completely agree. I’m interested in the Venus murray mixed matches (as well as the coco sock matches) and all you can see is “mixed”