Wimbledon coverage criticised as BBC viewers slam

BBC viewers have hit out at the broadcaster over its Wimbledon coverage. The tennis tournament kicked off on Monday (June 29), with the BBC alternating between BBC One and BBC Two to deliver all the action from SW19, as well as streaming on iPlayer.

However, a number of fans were left furious during the evening's coverage, claiming they missed a crucial moment due to a channel switch, with some branding it "a joke". Former Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was facing Wu Yibing on Centre Court when the coverage changed channels, prompting a wave of angry posts on X, with viewers claiming the switch caused significant disruption just as Wu was on the verge of clinching the second set, reports the Mirror.

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One user posted on the platform, formerly known as Twitter: "They didn't just miss that Wu set win because they were changing channel. Oh wait... they did. Shambles."

Another disgruntled viewer said it "spoiled the tension", while someone else fumed: "Channel change at set point @BBCSport - really!!" "Shocking from @BBCSport to leave the channel at such a crucial point to switch channels and it's not even on there!!" wrote another frustrated fan.

A further viewer described it as "appalling", while one remarked: "Fed up of BBC coverage of #wimbledon only just started and already there is constant channel hopping, and missing crucial stages of the match as a result is unacceptable."

"Shocking #Wimbledon coverage from BBC there," added another. "Djokovic serving to stay in the set, they switch channel with both showing an advert, then come back to the game with the set over. What's the point watching for hours then missing a key moment!"

"Would have been nice to watch that set point live @BBC but instead you switched from BBC One to BBC Two with no great hurry... missed the set point and now they're closing the roof so there's a delay anyway - Could you not have waited one minute?!" questioned another viewer.

"The BBC coverage of Wimbledon truly is a joke," wrote somebody else. "An absolute disgrace. If you're going to follow a match live, then don't keep switching channels halfway through. Either dedicate yourself to the tournament, or let it go."