Disgruntled cricket fans have launched a fresh wave of criticism against TNT Sports, branding its coverage of the Ashes as "shocking" and "abysmal" as the second Test got underway at Brisbane's Gabba ground.
A Wave of Social Media Discontent
The broadcaster, which secured the rights to show Test cricket's marquee series, is facing a sustained backlash following similar complaints during the first Test last month. Viewers took to social media platform X to voice a litany of grievances, with many suggesting they would have preferred the UK rights to have remained with Sky Sports.
One frustrated fan wrote: "Back to more shocking TNT commentary. Give us some decent chat instead of just slaying England as soon as we lose a wicket. You pretty much called game over in the first over. #wouldpreferskysports." Another echoed the sentiment, stating: "TNT's commentary is appalling. Constant yap and fear of silence."
Key Complaints from Viewers
The complaints from fans were varied but pointed. A significant issue raised was the perceived lack of Australian voices in the commentary box, with one viewer noting: "There's plenty wrong with this TNT coverage but not having any Australian commentary is right up there."
Other criticisms included:
- Commentators talking excessively and failing to allow moments of silence.
- A perceived overly negative and premature analysis of England's performance.
- The overall quality being deemed unworthy of the historic Ashes spectacle.
One scathing post read: "Hasn’t even been 6 balls and the commentary on TNT is abysmal. This is THE ASHES! shameful to half a*** such a spectacle." Some viewers have resorted to muting the broadcast and listening to BBC's Test Match Special radio coverage instead.
TNT's Defence and Strategic Approach
The criticism is not new for TNT Sports, which has broadcast the away Ashes series since the 2017-18 tour. Prior to the series, executive vice-president Scott Young of Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe defended the coverage plans.
This followed specific scrutiny over the decision to base lead commentators Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch in the UK, despite presenters like Sir Alastair Cook and Becky Ives being on location in Australia. Young insisted both Eykyn and Hatch are "huge cricket fans" and claimed viewers "won't know" where commentators are during live action.
Young outlined a strategic vision for the coverage, arguing it was designed to attract a broader audience beyond traditional cricket fans. "That's why we're bringing many of our sports broadcasters into the fold," he said. "It's about bringing the football, rugby, even fight-sports fanbase, and making them aware of the Ashes as a moment in time. If we can get people who are not normally going to watch cricket for a day or a Test, then that's very much part of the TNT Sports ethos."
Despite this rationale, the second Test in Brisbane has amplified viewer dissatisfaction, with the hashtag #Ashes2025 being used to label the coverage a "travesty" and a "poor product". The broadcaster now faces the challenge of winning over a passionate and vocal cricket audience for the remainder of the prestigious series.
