Viewers blast ‘terrible’ Eleven Sports coverage

ANGRY golf fans tore into Eleven Sports on social media after technical problems left them unable to watch online coverage at the start of the US PGA Championship. Eleven Sports, a newcomer to broadcasting in the UK, is showing the first two rounds on Facebook but requires fans to sign up for a free seven-day trial to their online subscription service if they want to watch the action at the weekend. The coverage was, however, branded ‘absolutely terrible’ as users were left watching blank screens. There was also highpitched noise and pictures of commentators in the US preparing for their broadcast, checking their phones, and seemingly unaware they were live on air. Coverage started at 1.30pm and was due to focus on the all-star group of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas. There were problems soon after the start, however, and Eleven Sports posted an apology on Twitter after a slew of angry messages. The network, founded by Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, blamed the feed that Eleven Sports were using from the host broadcaster in the United States. They then published a new Facebook feed and the technical issues seemed to be resolved. Eleven Sports snapped up the US PGA rights for a reported seven-figure sum after Sky Sports failed to agree a TV deal and the BBC decided against a repeat of last year’s much-criticised broadcast. They have also bought the rights to Spanish and Italian football.