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The Ups and Downs of Sports Broadcast in China

Thursday, 26th June 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

Looks like I spoke too soon in my excitement yesterday about watching the U.S. Open on CCTV's Golf and Tennis Channel. The playoff between Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods was broadcast this morning. I started watching as the guys were teeing off at hole 13. Right after Tiger birdied 18 to force a sudden death round, CCTV cut to some tape of Phil Mickelson's chipping practice. We waited optimistically, thinking that they'd cut back to the 91st hole in a minute or two. Instead, up next was a report from the European Open, followed by Wimbledon news.

This wasn't the first time I've seen CCTV cut off a major sporting event just before an exciting overtime finish. It is, pardon the pun, par for the course with the network. CCTV adheres to a strict broadcast schedule, and if your basketball game, golf tournament or tennis match isn't over in time, tough luck. It was about 10:55 when the U.S. Open cut off this morning. Sorry, sports fans—we interrupt this great moment in sports to bring you news of the early rounds of a two-week tennis tournament. I have heard that this exact issue is what has prevented Major League Baseball from securing airtime in China. Baseball games, like golf tournaments, aren't played against a clock and their run times are very inconsistent.

The CCTV Golf and Tennis Channel resumed its U.S. Open re-broadcast at 11:15... at the 12th hole. ESPN's video highlights are looking better all the time.

Tags: CCTV, golf, Tiger Woods, US Open

US Open and Wimbledon Broadcasts

Wednesday, 25th June 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

Tiger Woods won the US Open last week in what's sure to rank as one of the most dramatic moments in sports this year. Playing on an injured knee and a broken tibia, Woods beat Rocco Mediate in a tournament that had to go 91 holes. After Woods forced a playoff round with 18th-hole heroics on Father's Day, he and Mediate had to go another 19 the next day to determine a winner. The day after his big win, Woods revealed the extent of his injuries and announced that he would take the year off for surgery and rehabilitation.

If you thought you had to miss this instant classis because you're in China, you're only partly right. If you've got cable and a flexible work schedule, you can see the last round tomorrow. The US Open has been airing for at least the past two days on CCTV's Golf and Tennis Channel (CCTV 高尔夫网球), available if you have cable (in Beijing, it is Channel 170). Rounds 3 and 4 aired Tuesday and Wednsday starting at noon. We couldn't find a broadcast schedule online, but it seems likely that the playoff round will air at noon tomorrow.

CCTV Golf and Tennis Channel also aired live French Open tennis matches, and has been doing the same with Wimbledon.

Tags: CCTV, golf, tennis, Tiger Woods, US Open, Wimbledon