BBC’S WIMBLEDON COVERAGE GOES INTERACTIVE

BBC coverage of this year’s Wimbledon Championships will enable up to five matches to be watched live at a time.
BBC Wimbledon Interactive coverage on Sky’s digital satellite television service will provide the option to watch a particular match in full screen with live commentary or up to five matches at the same time on one screen. ONdigital’s digital terrestrial, and certain cable services, which have a more limited bandwidth, will feature an enhanced digital teletext-style service with a quarter screen view.
Ashley Highfield, BBC’s Director of New Media, said: “I’m thrilled that by working together with Sky, the BBC can offer this groundbreaking Wimbledon Interactive service offering five video streams that gives BBC viewers unprecedented choice and creates the innovative, engaging content expected of the BBC. We look forward to working with Sky again to roll out more interactive initiatives.”
BBC Wimbledon Interactive will let tennis fans with digital satellite select one up to five different live matches from a variety of courts with constantly updated scores.
Director of Sky Interactive, Jon Florsheim, said: “Sky has already delivered interactive television to British viewers on our own channels. Now we are delighted our expertise will be used by one of the world’s most significant broadcasters to enhance one of the world’s most important sporting events.”
ONdigital’s digital terrestrial television service will carry the enhanced text service. Designed by BBC New Media, the service made its debut last year and scooped a BAFTA Interactive award for its innovative approach.
Revamped for the 2001 coverage, BBC Wimbledon Interactive will feature a new look and offer a range of dynamically updated reports, statistics, features, comments and player profiles.
BBC Wimbledon Interactive coverage starts Monday, June 25, on BBC’s digital channels. (SP)