Connect with execs from Axios, The New York Times, Paramount and more.
Twitter is using Wimbledon to serve a first glimpse at what live streaming sports on the platform will look like.
Today, it began broadcasting the ninth day of action from the courts outside of London for free. On desktop, the format is laid out with a high-quality live stream of the Wimbledon’s website feed, despite it displaying “Brought to you by ESPN” on the bottom. Tweets using the #Wimbledon hashtag are displayed on the left.
Live @ Wimbledon – Day 9. Watch LIVE now: https://t.co/JI7WEdvcQQ … #Wimbledon
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2016
The layout looks similar, but more compact, on mobile. A few people have reported problems accessing it on their phones, although it worked within the app without an issue for us. Another complaint from users is the selection of matches: ESPN has the U.S. digital streaming rights so Twitter can’t show live matches, rather it’s showing older matches and commentary.
Since the feed from Twitter is ad-free, it’s unclear if Twitter is selling ads with the coverage. This is likely more of an attempt to show off its live streaming capabilities ahead of its NFL streaming package this fall.
“Twitter is increasingly a place where people can find live streaming video, and that includes exciting sporting events like Wimbledon,” Twitter said in a statement. “This livestream is an extremely early and incomplete test experience, and we’ll be making lots of improvements before we launch it in its final form.”
The stream will run throughout the tournament.
Photos via Facebook/Wimbledon.
More in Media
Inside the newsroom push to turn print reporters into video talent
As reporter-led video becomes a priority, publishers are investing in newsroom training to help journalists deepen audience relationships.
WTF is SPUR’s publisher-run Content Telemetry Framework?
SPUR is publisher‑run and fixated on one thing: turning AI’s use of their content from opaque scraping into a transparent, usage‑based licensing system they control.
How streaming creators built a new broadcast blueprint at the World Cup
Livestreaming creators offer new ways to broadcast sports to diverse audiences; this 2026 FIFA World Cup may be the new blueprint for leagues