For the second time in twelve months, the ABC has raised question marks over the future of broadcasting the Hopman Cup .
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott has told a Senate estimates committees a final decision on whether the ABC would continue to show live coverage would be made soon.
But with the amount of other tennis shown on other channels, the Perth event may be forced to make way for sports that receive less coverage.
“When we weigh up the relative priority of the investment in the Hopman Cup in terms of time and resources, we are mindful of the fact that on free-to-air television in December and January there are 250 hours of [tennis on] television that are being broadcast,” Scott said.
A decision may also be influenced by changes to the anti-siphoning list, especially if it allows Seven to braodcast more Australian Open matches on 7TWO.
The situation mirrors the event’s future jeopardy of February 2009 when Mark Scott also told a Senate hearing that it was considering dumping its telecast so it could better cover women’s football, basketball or events such as the Tiwi Islands Games.
The event screened in early January on ABC1.
Source: WAtoday
I won’t be bothering to watch the ABC if basketball or football is put on instead of tennis! I look forward to the Hopman cup every year – all tennis without commercials. And as Matt said those other sports are on during the year. Keep the Hopman Cup!
Jed + Johnson: That’s not the point. It’s about the money cost to produce, not the airtime.
Please show it. It is a lovely tournament and it may be the only sporting event that people in Perth get to watch it live.
I agree with Jed, the Hopman Cup is not on the anti-siphoning list so it can be shown, day and night, on ABC2 if needed.
Give it to ONEHD!
More people would rather watch tennis than women’s basketball or football, think about it ABC. We might have a ton of tennis in january but really for the rest of the year on FTA there isn’t a whole lot covered apart from Wimbledon.
please please please keep it on air!
No don’t do it ABC. I love the Hopman Cup, best tournament around. You see the players in a different light because they actually have fun at this tournament. I actually want ABC to show more games like they use to, a day and night session. Stick it on ABC2 if you have to.
noooooooooooo!