THE BBC’S Wimbledon highlights show is set to be moved to a “graveyard slot” next week.
Fans have become used to watching “Today at Wimbledon” during the Championships since the programme’s launch in 1990.
Wimbledon is set to get underway in SW19 next Monday[/caption]
Qasa Alom has presented Today at Wimbledon since 2023[/caption]
The highlights show has typically commenced between 8pm and 9pm over the years, with Qasa Alom replacing Clare Balding as host in 2023.
Last year’s programming schedule was disrupted by a series of late finishes on Centre Court due to bad weather.
With play on the main courts often continuing beyond 8pm, the BBC’s coverage typically decided to stick with the live action.
Per the Telegraph, Beeb chiefs have decided to move their TV slot for Today at Wimbledon to 11:55pm for day one at the Championships.
The show will be recorded earlier and made available online from 9pm during the first week of the tournament, but won’t be broadcast on TV until what the Telegraph describe as the “graveyard slot”.
BBC chiefs say that their highlights programme will begin “after live play ends”.
And it will be shown on BBC Two.
During the second week of the tournament, Today at Wimbledon will return to a more familiar slot.
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A BBC spokesperson told SunSport: “Live Wimbledon coverage is scheduled to air on BBC One or BBC Two until 10pm in the first week, and until 9pm from the second week, when matches typically finish earlier.
“We wouldn’t show highlights on another channel during live play, so Today at Wimbledon will be available on BBC iPlayer and scheduled on BBC Two later in the evening, depending on when play ends.
“It’s currently set for 8pm from Tuesday 8th to Friday 11th July, when earlier finishes are expected.”
Isa Guha will present main coverage from SW19 each morning, with Balding taking over as the action moves to BBC One during the afternoon.
Alom will continue to present Today at Wimbledon.
The BBC have confirmed their commentary team for the Championships.
Usual suspects including John McEnroe, Tim Henman and Martina Navratilova will all be involved.
But there is no place for Nick Kyrgios, who featured on the Beeb’s coverage last year, or Andy Murray – who has not yet been tempted into punditry since hanging up his racquet.
BBC's Wimbledon line-up in full
Presenters:
Clare Balding, Isa Guha, Qasa Alom, Gigi Salmon, Clare McDonnell, Steve Crossman
Commentators: Andrew Castle, Chris Bradnam, James Burridge, Naomi Cavaday, Matt Chilton, Andrew Cotter, Katharine Downes, Paul Hand, Abigail Johnson, Robbie Koenig, David Law, Nick Lester, Ronald Mcintosh, Alison Mitchell, Nick Mullins, Pete Odgers, Simon Reed, Candy Reid, Andy Stevenson, Russell Fuller, Jonathan Overend, Iain Carter, Sara Orchard, Maz Farookhi, Claire Thomas, James Gregg, Delyth Lloyd, Chris Dennis, Shourjo Sarkar, Shabnam Younus-Jewell
Pundits:
John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Pat Cash, Tracy Austin, Tim Henman, Annabel Croft, Joe Durie, Colin Fleming, Daniela Hantuchova, Dom Inglot, Anne Keothavong, Alicia Molik, Ryan Harrison, John Lloyd, Nick Monroe, Arvind Parmar, Louise Pleming, Sam Smith, Liz Smylie, Mel South, Todd Woodbridge, Jayant Mistry, Louise Hunt, Katie O’Brien, Kim Clijsters, Laura Robson, Naomi Broady, Mark Woodforde, Jeff Tarango, Leon Smith, Coco Vandeweghe, Greg Rusedski, Daniele Hantuchova, Cara Black, Marion Bartoli
Nick Kyrgios provided punditry for the BBC last year[/caption]
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