BBC turns down sporting event

In a last-minute decision, the BBC has agreed to broadcast the America's Cup match between Great Britain and New Zealand after initially declining to air it despite being offered the footage for free. The broadcaster faced backlash from viewers for not showcasing this historic event, particularly concerning issues with branding on the live feed transitions. The match, which began on Saturday, is part of a first-to-seven series for the Auld Mug and features Ben Ainslie's team aiming for their first win in the competition's 173-year history. The race will be available on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and also on TNT Sports and YouTube. A spokesperson for the America’s Cup expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting the significance of the event regardless of the outcome. This development marks a significant turnaround for the BBC, which had previously only committed to covering the event through news and digital reporting.