13-01-2023, 11:48 AM
Short form tennis highlights rarely work as the cuts often make it obvious how the match will pan out. An hour may be enough for the womens final but the mens probably needs a two hour slot. Also think the semi-finals at least should get a FTA window.
Discovery seem to be far more resistant to working with FTA partners now at a time when Sky and BT have actually been more forthcoming in doing so. Indeed Eurosport itself was built pretty much on being a platform for essentially free to air content that FTA partners perhaps couldn't or wouldn't dedicate time too - I think they somewhat over estimate that tennis fans would subscribe just for a grand slam, though if they could pick up the ATP/WTA rights that Amazon are dropping next year it would be a different matter - although arguably you need to reach that non-subscribing audience early in the year with an event like the Australian Open to get people thinking they want to subscribe for the tennis.
Discovery seem to be far more resistant to working with FTA partners now at a time when Sky and BT have actually been more forthcoming in doing so. Indeed Eurosport itself was built pretty much on being a platform for essentially free to air content that FTA partners perhaps couldn't or wouldn't dedicate time too - I think they somewhat over estimate that tennis fans would subscribe just for a grand slam, though if they could pick up the ATP/WTA rights that Amazon are dropping next year it would be a different matter - although arguably you need to reach that non-subscribing audience early in the year with an event like the Australian Open to get people thinking they want to subscribe for the tennis.