In what is a big announcement for Channel 7, they’ve released today that they will be broadcasting Wimbledon for 2011 and the next few years to come. No more junkets for Ken Sutcliffe, yet still the same late night, bleary-eyed game watching to see the Aussies out by the second round. The more interesting step is the Network looking to ensure they can start the games live on one of their digital multi-channels and then revert to the main channel (presumably after prime time programming has ceased). If Senator Stephen Conroy’s office allows this… it’s a sign that the Australian Government is finally letting the networks take multi-channeling seriously. From the press release:
The Seven Network today signed an agreement with The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for extensive free-to-air broadcast television coverage of The Championships.
The multiple year broadcast television agreement for coverage of Wimbledon complements the network’s coverage of The Australian Open tennis and adds further depth to Seven’s leadership in sports television.
The agreement between Seven and The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was announced today by Seven’s Head of Sport, Saul Shtein.Mick Desmond, Commercial Director of The All England Club, said: “We are delighted to be announcing this partnership with Seven. This agreement allows sports fans across Australia to enjoy Seven’s creative approach to bringing alive the stories and the colour of The Championships, while the development of multi-media and wireless platforms will provide viewers with an improved choice of how to access all the on and off court action and drama.”
Commenting, Mr Shtein, said: “Wimbledon is one of the world’s great sports events and Seven looks forward to being the network that delivers Australians the broadest possible coverage of The Championships on broadcast television.”
Seven will have first selection on the ‘best two matches’ of each day’s play through to and including the quarter-finals and will have exclusive coverage of the singles semi-finals and finals and doubles finals in the Ladies’ and Men’s Championships.
Seven is planning extensive coverage of the Championships across its digital broadcast television platform in primetime, which will include live telecasts from the start of play on one of its multi-channels. Seven is currently in discussions with the Office of the Minister for Communications on these plans.
This year’s Championship commences on 20 June.
What is the latest on free to air Wimbledon coverage, Like many people I cannot affor Pay TV and love watching Wimbledon. I have been told that Seven have gained the rights and are going to show very little on free to air. If this is so why are stations so greedy in buying rights and then ignoring the public they are supposed to be catering for?
it’s going to be fantastic that free to air tv will broadcast wimbledon from the start of play, live. Hallelujah. Some good news. I just wonder who will be the commentators. I would rather have the bbc coverage rather than have to listen to the droll and overly analytical wally masur. He’s from canberra, you know.
commentary with 7 this year is set to include Wodbridge, Newcombe and Shriver. BORING AND PAINFUL!!
I agree that BBC commentary would be great – so too would the US team with John McEnroe.
McEnroe also commentates for the BBC at Wimbledon.
Why is the Wimbledon picture quality so poor. Not only have the dig channels Dumped hd tv, now even the mainstream sport is low resolution. does it cost more? The Aus open is brilliantly clear. the Brittish product is lousy.
I agree, picture quality very poor. Why do Cannel 7 refuse to show sporting events in HD eg AFL and Wimbledon??
The Channel 7 coverage is bloody ordinary.
Score changes take to long to be presented.
Sometimes I wonder if the Commentators realise that we are not blooy blind – we saw it!
Tracy Austin can stay in USA. She is as useless at the Australian Open, with her prattle.
Just who care about comments from The Brat J McEnroe.
Decide which game you are going to televise and stop pissing around half a dozen courts and we see no tennis! Don’t you have a Producer?
At least we are spared from Bruce McAveny, this time!
All truly very ordinary.
The Coles Ad is dreadful! That girl cannot sing and it is on every jolly ad break. It is loud and jarring and takes off a great song . Please spare us, as it is spoiling the Wimbledon coverage.