The U.S. Open: A Viewer’s Guide for Europe

Every U.S. Open Match to Air on Eurosport and Discovery+ Across Europe

By Ellise Shafer | Home TV Global | Aug 21, 2023 2:51am PT

Warner Bros. Discovery Europe announced that it will broadcast every match from this year’s U.S. Open on Eurosport and Discovery+ across 45 markets in Europe. Tennis fans in Europe will have the opportunity to stream the tournament live and on-demand, bringing the excitement of the final Grand Slam event of the year to their homes. Viewers in the Nordics will also have access to free-to-air coverage, with a focus on players representing Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.

On-site coverage with former U.S. Open Champions

Former U.S. Open champions John McEnroe and Mats Wilander will lead the on-site coverage alongside Alex Corretja and Barbara Schett. Justine Henin will also provide her expert insight from Paris. The partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery Europe and the USTA allows European fans to get closer to the action and experience the tournament in a way that no other broadcaster can match.

“This year marks the first of our renewed and long-term partnership with the USTA which enables us to bring our passion for tennis, deep sports expertise, and industry-leading production to the US Open, a tournament we have shown for over two decades, expanding its reach for fans across Europe to savor,” said Scott Young, senior VP of content and production at WBD Sports Europe.

The U.S. Open qualifying matches will begin on August 22, with the tournament officially starting on August 28. The coverage aims to capture and share the stories of the athletes participating in the tournament, from the first point in qualifying to match point on Arthur Ashe on September 10.

‘Waterloo Road’ Gets Double Series Order

The BBC has renewed the drama series “Waterloo Road” for two new series, in addition to the next series that has already been filmed. This means that viewers can expect three more installments of “Waterloo Road” in the future. Filming for the upcoming series will begin in Manchester this fall, and each series will consist of eight 60-minute episodes.

The original “Waterloo Road” aired from 2006 to 2015 and was rebooted earlier this year with a new cast, including Angela Griffin, Adam Thomas, and Kym Marsh as school staff. The show has seen success on BBC iPlayer, ranking among the top three titles of the year for 16-34 year olds.

The show will continue to cast key roles through open auditions at schools and youth clubs, providing opportunities for newcomers to the industry. The producers of “Waterloo Road” are committed to training and inspiring the next generation of talent, and they will offer workshops for 14-16 year olds across Greater Manchester in partnership with BBC Young Reporter.

Executive producer Cameron Roach expressed excitement about the return of “Waterloo Road” and the show’s potential to serve as a beacon for training and inspiring new talent in the industry.

Increasing Support for Industry Workers

The U.K. Film and TV Charity has added an additional £500,000 ($637,000) to its budget in response to an 800% increase in support applications from industry workers in financial need. Partner organizations, including the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Prime Video, have also pledged further donations to support workers in the film, TV, and cinema industry.

The CEO of the U.K. Film and TV Charity, Marcus Ryder, highlighted the financial instability facing industry workers and its impact on mental health and well-being. This increased funding will help address the growing concern and provide assistance to those in need.

The charity encourages industry workers experiencing financial need, debt, or mental health concerns to reach out for support via its free, 24/7 support line or by visiting their website.

England vs. Spain Women’s World Cup Final Draws Millions of Viewers

The Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain attracted an audience of 12 million viewers on BBC One. This marked England’s first time reaching a World Cup final since 1966 and showcased the growing popularity of women’s football.

In addition to the television viewership, the match garnered 3.9 million streams on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online. The entire tournament drew a total of 21.2 million viewers who watched at least 15 minutes of BBC TV coverage and was streamed 25.7 million times on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. These figures represent a significant increase of 75% from the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, expressed pride in the long-term partnership with women’s football and the ability of the BBC to bring the nation together for these important moments. The success of the tournament highlights the growing interest in women’s football and demonstrates the BBC’s ability to engage audiences across multiple platforms.

Conclusion

The announcement of every U.S. Open match being available for European viewers on Eurosport and Discovery+ brings the excitement and drama of the tournament to tennis fans across the continent. The renewal of “Waterloo Road” and the increased support from the U.K. Film and TV Charity showcase the commitment to nurturing and promoting talent in the industry. The success of the Women’s World Cup final further solidifies the growing popularity and support for women’s football in England.

As the tournament approaches and the new series of “Waterloo Road” goes into production, viewers and industry workers alike have exciting and promising developments to look forward to.