Today at Wimbledon

Today at Wimbledon
Also known as Wimbledon: Match of the Day (1964–1989)
Wimbledon 2day (2015)
Genre Sport
Presented by Clare Balding
Production
Production location(s) All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) BBC
Release
Original network BBC Two
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
Original release 23 June 1964 (1964-06-23) – present
External links
Website

Today at Wimbledon is a BBC TV show, showing highlights and discussion from the day's play at the Wimbledon Championships currently hosted by Clare Balding.

The show lasts for 60 minutes and is broadcast on BBC Two at 8:30 pm with a next day repeat at 10:30 am (6:00 am on BBC One at the weekend).

Initially broadcast late evening on BBC1 and titled Wimbledon: Match of the Day, it moved to BBC2 in around 1990. It soon settled into a 9.30 pm slot before moving again to an 8:00 pm slot in the late 2000s, to allow BBC2 to schedule non-sports output between 9 pm and 10.30 pm.

As a result, if significant matches last beyond 8:30 pm, the programme is usually cut short (and occasionally not shown at all) to allow the live tennis coverage to be shown; something which attracts regular viewer complaints.

The show used to be presented either from the BBC's dedicated studio in the Wimbledon media centre, or from the landscaped garden on the building's roof, adjacent to court 18.

Hosts

Presenter Duration
Des Lynam 1980s–1990
Harry Carpenter 1991–1993
Sue Barker 1994–1999
John Inverdale 2000–2014
Clare Balding 2015–present

Des Lynam took over from Harry Carpenter who ironically replaced him as presenter of Today at Wimbledon. Lynam fronted Wimbledon coverage on BBC television between 1991 and 1999, after that year's Wimbledon, he moved to ITV and was replaced from 2000 by Sue Barker who continues to front Wimbledon coverage on BBC television to this day.

Controversy

In 2015, the programme was rebranded Wimbledon 2day (a pun on the channel's name). Clare Balding became the new presenter after long-time host John Inverdale left to join the BBC's Wimbledon commentary team. The opening week was presented from The Gatsby Club – a temporary hospitality venue outside the grounds – with stand-up presentation, handheld cameras, various social media features and a small live audience. The changes prompted many complaints, in particular the reduction in highlights.[1][2] The BBC tweaked the format in the second week, Balding hosting a more traditional show, without an audience, from the upper floor of Centre Court with views across the grounds.[3][4]

For 2016, the show returned to the Today at Wimbledon name and format.

References

  1. ↑ "Wimbledon 2day: what Clare Balding will have 2 do 2 save this balls-up". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "It's like Top Gear meets Play School: JAN MOIR savages Wimbledon's new highlights show that's driving fans mad". Daily Mail. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "BBC bows to pressure over Wimbledon 2Day show complaints". BBC. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Wimbledon 2Day: BBC admits defeat over format". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
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