Latest news with #AndrewCastle
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I just don't see why…' – BBC commentator voices concerns after Wimbledon final rights are given to new TV channel
BBC commentator Andrew Castle has expressed concern after TNT Sports won rights to broadcast the Wimbledon final. The broadcaster have the rights after taking over Eurosport, which previously aired a highlights package from the All England Club. 2 Andrew Castle expressed his concerns with moving Wimbledon away from free-to-air Credit: Getty 2 TNT Sports will air the Wimbledon final as well as the BBC Credit: AFP The BBC will continue their coverage of the Grand Slam as usual, including the final. Castle, who is part of the BBC's Wimbledon commentary team, has expressed his desire to see the tournament remain on the Beeb. He argues there would be no benefit in switching from free-to-air to a broadcaster such as TNT Sports. Castle told READ MORE ON WIMBLEDON "In terms of a domestic audience in the UK is concerned, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't on the BBC and free to air. "But I've been surprised before. I just don't see why or the particular benefit and that's what matters to me. "It's an institution and an event, not a tennis tournament. As long as people see it because it is the big showcase . "When I think of Wimbledon on the BBC, what is really lovely is there are no commercial breaks. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "And from my point of view in commentary, I've got to think about what we are going to talk about in the breaks with Tim Henman, Krygios has reportedly been 'Look at me, you PIG' - Tennis star snaps racket and screams at rival in frosty handshake after losing Wimbledon warm-up It comes roughly a year after the Aussie admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, which meant his selection by the BBC last year sparked backlash. Krygios had also hoped to play in the tournament but a recurring injury has ruled him out of returning to court as a player.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I just don't see why…' – BBC commentator voices concerns after Wimbledon final rights are given to new TV channel
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BBC commentator Andrew Castle has expressed concern after TNT Sports won rights to broadcast the Wimbledon final. The broadcaster have the rights after taking over Eurosport, which previously aired a highlights package from the All England Club. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Andrew Castle expressed his concerns with moving Wimbledon away from free-to-air Credit: Getty 2 TNT Sports will air the Wimbledon final as well as the BBC Credit: AFP The BBC will continue their coverage of the Grand Slam as usual, including the final. Castle, who is part of the BBC's Wimbledon commentary team, has expressed his desire to see the tournament remain on the Beeb. He argues there would be no benefit in switching from free-to-air to a broadcaster such as TNT Sports. Castle told Betway: "I don't think they ever would [allow a rival broadcaster to take over]. READ MORE ON WIMBLEDON EYE ON THE PRIZE Wimbledon confirms record prize money after inflation-busting ticket hike "In terms of a domestic audience in the UK is concerned, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't on the BBC and free to air. "But I've been surprised before. I just don't see why or the particular benefit and that's what matters to me. "It's an institution and an event, not a tennis tournament. As long as people see it because it is the big showcase. "When I think of Wimbledon on the BBC, what is really lovely is there are no commercial breaks. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "And from my point of view in commentary, I've got to think about what we are going to talk about in the breaks with Tim Henman, John McEnroe, Nick Kyrgios – that's what I'm thinking about towards the end of a game." Krygios has reportedly been axed from the BBC's SW19 coverage this year. 'Look at me, you PIG' - Tennis star snaps racket and screams at rival in frosty handshake after losing Wimbledon warm-up It comes roughly a year after the Aussie admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, which meant his selection by the BBC last year sparked backlash. Krygios had also hoped to play in the tournament but a recurring injury has ruled him out of returning to court as a player.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Wimbledon 2025 to be shown on new TV channel for first time
Wimbledon 2025 to be shown on new TV channel for first time The iconic tennis tournament starts later this month with a new broadcaster covering the action at SW19 Wimbledon coverage will be shown by a new broadcaster this summer Wimbledon will be shown on a new TV channel for the first time in nearly a decade this year. The iconic tennis tournament has been covered by the BBC since 1937 and the corporation will continue to act as the principle broadcaster of all the action at SW19 this summer. That is due to the fact that the competition is listed as a 'Category A' event by Ofcom, which means that live coverage must be made available for free-to-air channels. However, a new broadcaster will also be showing the event for the first time this summer, with Ofcom permitting 'secondary broadcasters' to show coverage of major sporting tournaments. TNT Sports have acquired the rights to show highlights at the 2025 tournament, which gets under way on Monday, June 30 and runs until Sunday, July 13. The broadcaster - formerly BT Sport - is taking over the five-year deal that was originally signed by Eurosport last year. Eurosport disappeared from TV screens in the UK earlier this year as it was repackaged as part of TNT Sports, with both channels owned by Warner Bros Discovery. Article continues below It means that TNT Sports will take over the daily 90-minute highlights show that at the end of play each day, as well as live coverage of both men's and women's singles final, from this year, having been available to watch on Eurosport since 2016. Wimbledon reportedly costs the BBC around £60 million a year, with the current deal keeping them as the principal broadcaster of the tournament set to run until 2027. Having been shown by the corporation for 88 years, coverage of Wimbledon this year will continue across BBC1 and BBC2, as well as via BBC iPlayer, radio and online. TNT Sports already hold the rights to air both the Australian Open and French Open in the UK, while the US Open's UK rights are owned by Sky Sports. Broadcaster and former tennis star Andrew Castle has spoken out about the importance of keeping Wimbledon on the BBC, telling Betway that he "doesn't think they ever would" let a rival take over as principal broadcaster. 'In terms of a domestic audience in the UK is concerned, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't on the BBC and free to air," he said. "But I've been surprised before. I just don't see why or the particular benefit and that's what matters to me. Article continues below '"t's an institution and an event, not a tennis tournament. As long as people see it because it is the big showcase. "When I think of Wimbledon on the BBC, what is really lovely is there are no commercial breaks," Castle added. "And from my point of view in commentary, I've got to think about what we are going to talk about in the breaks with Tim Henman, John McEnroe, Nick Kyrgios – that's what I'm thinking about towards the end of a game."
Metro
3 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Andrew Castle urges BBC to keep Wimbledon TV rights over TNT Sports
Andrew Castle has urged the BBC to keep their Wimbledon TV rights if a rule change allowed TNT Sports to become the principle UK broadcaster. The BBC have been exclusively showing Wimbledon in the UK since 1937 – but for the first time in 2025 – TNT Sports are the secondary broadcaster. TNT Sports have taken over the daily 90-minute highlights show, aired at the end of each day's play, and will also be showing the singles finals along with the BBC, with viewers able to watch those matches on either channel. As things stand, Wimbledon is a Category A event by Ofcom, meaning that live coverage must be made available on free-to-air channels like the BBC. But a rule change could allow TNT Sports to become the main broadcaster in the UK, with Wimbledon reportedly costing the BBC around £60m a year. TNT Sports already have the UK rights to show the Australian Open and French Open, while the US Open rights are currently owned by Sky Sports. The BBC's current TV deal with Wimbledon is up in 2027 and Castle, who works for the broadcaster, has told Metro via Betway that the iconic Grand Slam tennis event should always be free to air without commercial breaks. 'I don't think they ever would [allow a rival broadcaster to take over],' former British tennis player Castle said about the BBC's TV deal. 'In terms of a domestic audience in the UK is concerned, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't on the BBC and free to air. 'But I've been surprised before. I just don't see why or the particular benefit and that's what matters to me. 'It's an institution and an event, not a tennis tournament. As long as people see it because it is the big showcase. 'When I think of Wimbledon on the BBC, what is really lovely is there are no commercial breaks. 'And from my point of view in commentary, I've got to think about what we are going to talk about in the breaks with Tim Henman, John McEnroe, Nick Kyrgios – that's what I'm thinking about towards the end of a game.' Australian Open – TNT Sports – TNT Sports French Open – TNT Sports – TNT Sports Wimbledon – BBC (main) | TNT Sports (secondary) – BBC (main) | TNT Sports (secondary) US Open – Sky Sports TNT Sports' Wimbledon deal was originally signed by Eurosport in May last year before they left UK screens and their television rights were absorbed. A peak audience of 7.5 million people tuned into BBC One last year to watch Carlos Alcaraz defeat Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final. This year's Wimbledon Championships get underway on June 30 as the world's best tennis players battle it out to land a major trophy in SW19. Castle is hopeful that Emma Raducanu will be seeded for her home Grand Slam by climbing into the world top 32. The British tennis star has only ever been seeded once at Wimbledon – which came three years ago. Quizzed about Raducanu, currently ranked world No.37, Caste said: 'Emma now seems to be doing what a lot of people have been saying what she needs to do – and that is playing a lot of matches. 'Whether the body couldn't handle it or the mind wanted it, it doesn't really matter about the past. We're seeing a very exciting new phase for her and who knows how long it lasts but she is looking motivated, she looks very happy on the court. More Trending 'The thing is, nobody comes from the qualifying to win the US Open on your first tournament [if you can't play]. That was ridiculous. [It] changed her life and [she] became mega famous and mega wealthy. 'Of course, that takes adjustment with how your friends treat you, how you treat people and what investments you make alongside performances. 'She's done that and now we see this wonderful player producing really interesting tennis. The way she moves around court is balletic. [Her] serve has calmed down and looks good. I see her getting right back up there again and I'm really pleased. Being seeded at Wimbledon and potentially also at the US Open is good news.' MORE: Hidden gem documentary that inspired 90s comedy legend free to watch on BBC iPlayer MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025 MORE: EastEnders pulled from TV schedules as statement is issued – but there's a twist
