07-03-2024, 01:58 AM
Tennis...
Netflix's second foray into live sport took place on Sunday with the Netflix Slam in Las Vegas between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Unlike its venture into golf, this event used top tennis stars and had no gimmicks, with commentary from standard tennis voices and faces as well. As a result, the feedback I've seen (personally didn't watch it) was broadly positive. Viewing data, though naturally limited, suggests good viewrship as well. It will be interesting where next the Netflix eye turns to next when it comes to live sport.
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Today saw Indian Wells begin - the first joint ATP/WTA Masters of the season and the first ever to be shown live on Sky Sports. It appears Sky's coverage will take a similar pattern to their US Open coverage, with Gigi Salmon and guests (Tim Henman and and Laura Robson today) anchoring from London, before going out to California for the latter stages. Karthi Gnanasegaram is onsite reporting for Sky. I'm surprised Sky's commentary roster is still quite small - today has seen Jonathan Overend and Naomi Cavaday commentating (presumably offtube) alongside Tim Henman and Laura Robson; though, as of yet, it has been Sky-exclusive commentary on all matches shown on the main channel. I'm not sure what studio Sky are using; I don't think it's the MNF studio that they also used for the US Open.
Though the move from Amazon is an obvious disappointment, especially on cost grounds, for tennis viewers, today would be a good case study in why it is benficial for the sport to have moved to Sky. Coverage has been simulcasted on SS Main Event either side of live football, with promos airing during other popular broadcasts like live PL coverage in the build-up.
Netflix's second foray into live sport took place on Sunday with the Netflix Slam in Las Vegas between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Unlike its venture into golf, this event used top tennis stars and had no gimmicks, with commentary from standard tennis voices and faces as well. As a result, the feedback I've seen (personally didn't watch it) was broadly positive. Viewing data, though naturally limited, suggests good viewrship as well. It will be interesting where next the Netflix eye turns to next when it comes to live sport.
x.com
Today saw Indian Wells begin - the first joint ATP/WTA Masters of the season and the first ever to be shown live on Sky Sports. It appears Sky's coverage will take a similar pattern to their US Open coverage, with Gigi Salmon and guests (Tim Henman and and Laura Robson today) anchoring from London, before going out to California for the latter stages. Karthi Gnanasegaram is onsite reporting for Sky. I'm surprised Sky's commentary roster is still quite small - today has seen Jonathan Overend and Naomi Cavaday commentating (presumably offtube) alongside Tim Henman and Laura Robson; though, as of yet, it has been Sky-exclusive commentary on all matches shown on the main channel. I'm not sure what studio Sky are using; I don't think it's the MNF studio that they also used for the US Open.
Though the move from Amazon is an obvious disappointment, especially on cost grounds, for tennis viewers, today would be a good case study in why it is benficial for the sport to have moved to Sky. Coverage has been simulcasted on SS Main Event either side of live football, with promos airing during other popular broadcasts like live PL coverage in the build-up.