Golf fans are all saying the same thing about Olympic TV coverage

Le Golf National has played host to some of the best golfers on the planet as golf features in its third consecutive Olympic Games.

From its low-ley return in Rio de Janeiro to the Covid-impacted Tokyo Games, it feels as though golf has finally arrived as an Olympic sport this week, with some of the best players in the game – including eight of the world’s top-ten – roared on by huge crowds in Paris.

Without doubt, the men’s competition has been a huge success, which bodes well for the women’s competition this week.

However, golf fans have had one big criticism, and that’s the difficulty in following the action on TV.

For UK viewers, in particular, coverage on the BBC has been minimial, despite Team GB’s Tommy Fleetwood being in contention for a medal for much of the week.

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Contrary to what some people have suggested, that’s not the BBC’s fault.

In 2015, Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) bought the European TV rights for the Olympic Games for a reported €1.3bn. It’s only because of a UK law that aims to ensure major events, such as the Olympics, are available to the general public that the Beeb as able to strike a deal for WBD to cover the Games.

That deal entitles the BBC to have a network TV channel and a secondary broadcast stream.

Of course, because of the busy Olympic schedule, that means it’s unable to broadcast everything. And for golf fans wanting to watch the whole of the action from Paris, that means taking out a subscription to Discovery+.

Fortunately, the coverage there is exceptional. Wall-to-wall, all of the shots that matter, terrific commentary, and no advert breaks – it’s terrific.

But if you don’t know where to find it, or are either unable or not prepared to pay for the coverage, it can lead to the kind of frustration that has been filling up social media feeds.

“Why isn’t the Olympics Golf shown on TV anywhere?? #OlympicGolf” asked Charlie (@charlie_cafc).

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“Is there a reason the Golf is having no coverage in the Olympics on TV (BBC), especially as Tommy Fleetwood and Rory Mac are both in contention going into the Final round tomorrow ????” added Howie’s DC Comic Frames (@HywelJones2).

“So the final rd of Olympic golf isn’t on TV in Canada, US or Britain? Unreal” said skryp (@Theskrypclub_)

Martin Canning (@martincanning12) added: “@BBCSport Show the golf ffs. Absolute pathetic coverage at the Olympics from the BBC.”

Rich Hendy (@rhendy_mufc_20) commented: “Can’t watch the Olympic Golf on the BBC but can watch a horse dancing around.”

Shane (@thistimesurely) tweeted: “Golf fans are out of luck in this olympics coverage. The BBC will find literally ANYTHING to put on instead.”

Again, a reminder that none of this is the BBC’s fault.

The IOC selling its broadcast rights to the highest bidder for an eye-watering sum is the real issue.

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