The Sport Thread

[RhysJR]

Shame as the last couple have got decent linear treatment, but being in tennis season isn't ideal.  Even a delayed 7-9pm slot on BBC3 though would be OK.  Not even any coverage on the final weekend with highlights of the week.

Evidence points to this being almost an eleventh hour agreement which also would partly explain the lack of linear coverage. As late Monday (maybe Tuesday), the Fina website was listing coverage in the UK being on their own streaming service All Aquatics only, but was updated to be on the BBC too. In 2019 of course there was no live linear rights in the UK and in other countries due to Fina's extoriante valuing of rights. BBC had extended highlights daily and it was all available to view via PPV from Fina. Can't find much info on the UK ste-up of Fina's 2019 coverage, but it was $40 for the week in Australia, with Seven amongst those not paying the high fees.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/swimming-wor...wpmif2HLuH

It seems Fina have seen sense this year with many FTA broadcasters across Europe showing it. Whilst it's understandable but disappointing  that the BBC will have little linear coverage, it is worth noting that it is on paper a weakened British team due to injuriy and there being three major championships this year over six weeks, which may have helped influence the decision for lack of linear BBC coverage.

From what I can gather, every session from every sport (water polo, diving, swimming etc.) appears on the schedule for All Aquatics in the UK. It appears to be run by Eurovision Sports and is I believe free after logging in. I almost added my birthday as 199 AD when signing up, but apart fro that looks quite a decent system. Worth noting there will be commmentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra of most evening session too.