Eleven Sports off to shocker as US PGA coverage branded "terrible"

US PGA 2018 coverage: TV newcomers are even forced to apologise!

Andy Roberts's picture
Thu, 9 Aug 2018
Eleven Sports off to shocker as US PGA coverage branded "terrible"

 

You know when everyone was criticising the BBC's red button coverage of last year's US PGA? Yeah, well it's fair to say most UK golf fans would have it back in a heartbeat this week.

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Angry golf fans tore into Eleven Sports on social media this afternoon after technical problems left them unable to watch online coverage of round one of the US PGA Championship at Bellerive. 

The TV newcomer, which was founded by Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, is broadcasting the opening two days play on Facebook but it requires fans to sign up for a free seven-day trial to their online subscription service if they want to watch the action at the weekend. 

The Facebook coverage was, however, branded 'absolutely terrible' as users were left watching blank screens due to buffering, while there was also high-pitched noise and pictures of commentators in the US preparing for their broadcast, checking their phones, seemingly unaware they were live on air.

Rickie Fowler got off to the perfect start with an opening 5-under 65, which currently positions him two strokes clear of a number of players including former US PGA champion Jason Day. 

Defending champion Justin Thomas started with a 1-under 69, one stroke better than his playing partners Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, the latter recovering well after falling to 3-over early on during his round. 

Eleven Sports' online broadcast started at 1.30pm and coverage was due to focus on the all-star group of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, who teed off at 2.23pm BST, with pictures and commentary coming from the host broadcaster in the US.

Full coverage of the championship with Eleven Sports' own commentary team begun at 7pm.

There were problems soon after the start, however, and social media users flew off the hook. The slew of angry messages led to Eleven Sports posting an apology on Twitter, which read...

Here's a look a number of irate golf fan tweets after tuning in to Eleven Sports to watch the first round of the US PGA...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eleven Sports reportedly signed US PGA rights for a seven-figure sum after deals broke down between both Sky Sports back in 2016, and the BBC in 2017.

This week's US PGA marks the first event that Eleven Sports has broadcast. Its coverage is also available via their UK website and their app.

Eleven Sports has also won exlusive rights to broadcast La Liga and Serie A matches in the new season, meaning anyone wanting to watch Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in action will need to pay for a subscription, which costs £5.99 per month, or £49.99 for an annual pass, if paid by August 31. From that date the price will rise by £10. 

For more information head to their UK website.