US Open Tennis - how to watch without Spark Sport?

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geekIT

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#299377 3-Sep-2022 15:38

We love watching ATP Tennis on TV but it appears that Spark Sports has a monopoly on the current US Open 2022 tournament.

I'd pay for a month's Spark viewing, except that my TCL 55C2US TV seems unable to run the Spark Sports app.

(But how good is their streaming coverage, anyway?)

Are there any other options? Like Tennis TV? It looks as though that one will run, although I haven't paid for it yet.

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Spyware

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#2962702 3-Sep-2022 16:03

Tennis TV doesn't show Grand Slams.

SS coverage is excellent.

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invisibleman18

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#2963369 5-Sep-2022 10:14

Spyware:

SS coverage is excellent.

They are showing the 3 main courts, and it tends to run from 3am our time until the afternoon (the night session starts at 11am our time, so however long those matches run).

It's excellent if you don't have to sleep over night, or don't work during the day so are able to watch live. The on demand and replay options (which I thought was essential for a streaming platform) have been very frustrating. It would be ideal if they had a watch from start option on the live stream - they have this for other events including cricket test matches which run for a similar duration at a time so it should be possible. Then you could rewind the live stream back to watch any match you want. Instead, if live overnight is not an option for you, you're just waiting in the hope they will provide a replay of the earlier matches whilst trying to not accidentally see results.

Yesterday they only provided a replay of one men's singles match for the entire day, and 2 minute highlights of a few others. I was hoping to watch Norrie's match, which was first up on one of the main courts they stream live (3am our time), but no replay ever appeared, and all we got was a 2 minute highlights clip. At 8pm I gave up waiting and looked up the result.

The live coverage is great, but it's hit and miss what will be provided on demand. If they could add a watch from start option to the livestream that would make it ideal so you could get up in the morning and wind back to watch an earlier match.

Spyware

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#2963376 5-Sep-2022 10:25

geekIT:

I'd pay for a month's Spark viewing, except that my TCL 55C2US TV seems unable to run the Spark Sports app.

Pop over the road to your neighbourhood Noel Leeming and buy an Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen.

EDIT: Raw feeds are ESPN 4K 59.94 but we are not given a 4K playout option.

geekIT

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#2963459 5-Sep-2022 12:45

invisibleman18: Much thanks for your comprehensive explanation - we'll pass on getting Spark Sports. I assume SS won a bidding war for the coverage. Damn shame, I'm sure there are many Kiwis who've been disadvantaged by Spark in this way.

Spyware: "Pop over the road to your neighbourhood Noel Leeming and buy an Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen."

Yeah, right. On $150 per fortnight disposable income, I'm full of tricks like that.

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#2963466 5-Sep-2022 12:54

Spark do a little discount on SS with their UFB plans.

tdgeek

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#2963501 5-Sep-2022 14:11

geekIT:

We love watching ATP Tennis on TV but it appears that Spark Sports has a monopoly on the current US Open 2022 tournament.

I think most TV programs are exclusive, including FTA. If there was a 30 minute gardening show on FTA or another of the many pay services, that's also a monopoly?

Its normal, you wont be seeing Coro or the US Open on a swathe of channels, pay or otherwise

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geekIT

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#2963507 5-Sep-2022 14:25

tdgeek: I think most TV programs are exclusive, including FTA. If there was a 30 minute gardening show on FTA or another of the many pay services, that's also a monopoly?

Its normal, you wont be seeing Coro or the US Open on a swathe of channels, pay or otherwise

Not so. If Sky had won the bid for the tournament, far more viewers would have been able to watch it.

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tdgeek

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#2963510 5-Sep-2022 14:34

geekIT:

tdgeek: I think most TV programs are exclusive, including FTA. If there was a 30 minute gardening show on FTA or another of the many pay services, that's also a monopoly?

Its normal, you wont be seeing Coro or the US Open on a swathe of channels, pay or otherwise

Not so. If Sky had won the bid for the tournament, far more viewers would have been able to watch it.

Maybe TV Three could have won the bid, even more viewers

djtOtago

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#2963513 5-Sep-2022 14:36

If Sky had won the rights, I would not have been able to watch it.

tdgeek

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#2963515 5-Sep-2022 14:48

Yep, that is the way of the world now, unless everyone subscribes to everything, which is not really realistic

Oblivian

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#2963516 5-Sep-2022 14:55

The people have spoken. We wish for cheaper products, fueled by demand.

The people have spoken. We do not like fragmentation and exclusiveness.

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bun1

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#2979293 9-Oct-2022 00:09

geekIT:

We love watching ATP Tennis on TV but it appears that Spark Sports has a monopoly on the current US Open 2022 tournament.

I'd pay for a month's Spark viewing, except that my TCL 55C2US TV seems unable to run the Spark Sports app.

(But how good is their streaming coverage, anyway?)

Are there any other options? Like Tennis TV? It looks as though that one will run, although I haven't paid for it yet.

I have a TCL TV and have the Spark Sport app sideloaded onto it. Works perfectly.