UK viewers face sports meltdown

net1

UK broadcasters are unlikely to intervene into the sporting calendar after a multiple clash of major fixtures in '04 was revealed. As things stand, Jul. 4, '04 will be the date of the British Grand Prix motor race, an international one-day cricket match, the final of the Euro 2004 soccer tournament and the men's singles final at the Wimbledon tennis event. The organizing bodies of all four events are adamant that they will stick to their schedules despite the clash. Public broadcaster the BBC has rights to Wimbledon, while commercial rival ITV will cover the Grand Prix. The terrestrial pair will share the soccer, and pay TV platform sky digital has the cricket rights. The situation is potentially further complicated in that the tennis and cricket could be rain delayed and that only the soccer has a set duration, although even that could be extended if there is no result after normal time.