Viewers irate over Nine’s ad barrage during Australian Open tennis coverage

Fans have accused Nine of interrupting important Australian Open matches to show ads.

One viewer questioned why Nine would choose to go to an ad break when Ash Barty was about to enter Rod Laver Arena. Picture: AAP

Tennis fans have blasted Channel Nine’s coverage of the Australian Open, accusing the station of regularly interrupting important matches to show advertisements.

In a number of tweets on Monday evening, viewers made their displeasure clear over the length and frequency of the ad breaks. “Honestly this Australian Open coverage by Channel 9 is woeful,” wrote one person on Twitter. So many ads, we miss half the game.”

Honestly this @AustralianOpen coverage by @Channel9 is woeful. So many ads, we miss half the game. #tennis #AusOpen2020 🎾

— Sue Sara (@suejsara) January 20, 2020

Another person questioned why Nine would choose to go to an ad break when Ash Barty was about to enter Rod Laver Arena to take on Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. “The one thing you would like to see at the start is the crowd’s reaction when she goes onto the court,” they wrote on Twitter.

Bad form Channel Nine. They went to an ad break when Barty was about to enter Rod Laver Arena. The one thing you would like to see at the start is the crowd’s reaction when she goes onto the court. #ausopen pic.twitter.com/HPPXvAT6rZ

— Gossip Communication (@gossipcomm) January 20, 2020

People also voiced their disapproval of the amount of in-house advertising for upcoming Nine programs.

“One thing is for sure, I won’t be watching the f..ked up Married at First Sight. Already over the stupid ads and it’s day one.”

This is the second year Channel Nine has broadcast the Australian Open after outbidding long-time broadcast partner, Seven, for a five-year contract worth $288m in 2018.