TNT Sports is facing criticism for its upcoming coverage of the Ashes cricket series, which will be broadcast from the UK, approximately 10,000 miles away from Australia. This decision is seen by many as an insult to England fans and a continuation of TNT's poor track record in covering live sports since they acquired the rights in 2017.
Past TNT Sports Ashes coverage has been characterized by a lack of effort, including relying on commentary feeds from Australian broadcasters like Fox Sports, leading to issues with ad breaks, commentary being cut off, and viewers being shown content for which TNT did not have rights. In previous instances, TNT has opted for pundits in a London studio rather than sending a broadcast team to the actual matches, and at times, they have not even provided live studio analysis between sessions.
For the upcoming series, while some presenters will be in Australia, the lead commentators will be based in the UK. Critics argue that commentators with limited cricket experience, who are physically separated from the action and their pundits, will struggle to provide adequate coverage, especially in dynamic on-field situations.
This approach is also criticized for its aim to appeal to a broader, non-cricket audience, which many feel comes at the expense of dedicated fans who expect in-depth and informed commentary. The article contrasts this with the historically high standards of Sky Sports' cricket coverage, which provided insightful analysis and engaging broadcasters.
