Fans at Wimbledon "claim that they are being sidelined
as glamorous matches are scheduled to suit television
audiences," according to Goodbody & McCann of the LONDON
TIMES, who wrote that Wimbledon's TV contracts with NBC and
TNT "seem to have brought later times for matches featuring
the most popular stars, giving broadcasters bigger audiences"
and making it harder for fans to stay for the later matches.
Tournament official Alan Mills "insisted" that there has
"been no change of policy" and that Wimbledon "remained one
of the few events unaffected" by TV. Another Wimbledon
spokesperson also "denied" that the All England Club "was
under pressure to arrange the most attractive matches in the
early evening." But the spokesperson added, "We have to be
aware of the benefit to tennis that televising Wimbledon
brings. We are trying for a good spread of matches to
satisfy both the spectators and the television viewer" (L.
TIMES, 6/29). Also in London, Judge & Goodbody wrote, "This
year the failure of more spectators to be admitted during the
evening has cut the [attendance]" (LONDON TIMES, 6/29).
READING THE FINE PRINT: In N.Y., Mitchell Fink reports
that TNT analyst Martina Navratilova's contract "stipulates
that she need not be on camera" with TNT analyst Marv Albert.
But Turner Sports Senior VP Greg Hughes "denies" the claim:
"That report is false. Our employees' contracts are
confidential" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/30).
ARE YOU READY? Beginning tomorrow, NBC will present 35
1/2 hours of Wimbledon competition over nine days (NBC).
