ESPN’s Coverage of Wimbledon

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ 2012 marks the first year that ESPN will have exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to Wimbledon. The tournament begins June 25th and the network will provide 140 live hours of coverage in high definition on ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD – including three days when the two networks offer all-day “cross court coverage” (airing matches simultaneously) – plus highlights and reairs of both Finals on ABC. All the action on ESPN and ESPN2 is also available through WatchESPN online at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app. ESPN3 will also increase its schedule to more than 800 hours of a multi-screen offering – all available TV courts (up to nine) presented from first ball to last ball each day – which will be available along with ESPN and ESPN2’s action via the WatchESPN app. The service will also offer matches on demand after they occur. Chris Fowler, Hannah Storm, and Mike Tirico will serve as match announcers and studio hosts. Analysts include John McEnroe, Darren Cahill, Cliff Drysdale, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver. Tom Rinaldi will provide essays and features. “This Wimbledon is the culmination of a dream we at ESPN have had for more than 10 years, to deliver every match and every key moment live as it happens to fans wherever they are,” said John Skipper, ESPN president in a press release. “The Club entrusted the care of their wonderful event to us and we intend to fulfill their trust and present a Wimbledon that uses modern technology to serve fans across all devices while being mindful of the great history and traditions of the fortnight.” Here is the schedule of action at Wimbledon across the ESPN Family of networks: Date Time (ET) Event Network Mon, June 25 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Early Round Action ESPN2 / ESPN3 Live Tue, June 16 – Thur, June 28 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Early Round Action ESPN2 /ESPN3 (begins at 6:30 a.m.) Live Fri, June 29 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Early Round Action ESPN / ESPN3 Live Sat, June 30 7 – 8 a.m. Breakfast at Wimbledon ESPN / ESPN3 Live 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Quarterfinals ESPN / ESPN3 Live Sun, July 1 3 – 6 p.m. Highlights of Week One ABC Tape Mon, July 2 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Round of 16 ESPN2 / ESPN3 Live 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Round of 16, Centre Court ESPN / ESPN3 Live Tue, July 3 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ladies’ Quarterfinals ESPN2 / ESPN3 Live 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ladies’ Quarterfinals, Centre Court ESPN / ESPN3 Live Wed, July 4 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals ESPN2 / ESPN3 Live 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals,Centre Court ESPN / ESPN3D / ESPN3 Live Thur, July 5 7 – 8 a.m. Breakfast at Wimbledon ESPN / ESPN3 Live 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ladies’ Semifinals ESPN / ESPN3D / ESPN3 Live Fri, July 6 7 – 8 a.m. Breakfast at Wimbledon ESPN / ESPN3 Live 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Gentlemen’s Semifinals ESPN / ESPN3D / ESPN3 Live Sat, July 7 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Breakfast at Wimbledon ESPN / ESPN3 Live 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ladies’ Final ESPN / ESPN3D / ESPN3 Live 3 – 6 p.m. Ladies’ Final ABC Tape Sun, July 8 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Breakfast at Wimbledon ESPN / ESPN3 Live 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Gentlemen’s Final ESPN / ESPN3D / ESPN3 Live 3 – 6 p.m. Gentlemen’s Final ABC Tape