The Sport Thread

Doesn't look like there is any truth to the whispers about ITV teaming up with Eurosport for the US Open tennis after it was dropped by Sky - provisional schedules for ITV channels are out for the week starting 27 August and there's no sign of it.

A few Premier League titbits.

Something called Soccer Saturday Prematch is coming up at 10am on Sky Sports News. Not sure what this involves and I presume they wouldn't stretch Stelling for an extra two hours. Maybe it's a once off for the first day of the season.

Sky Sports have updated their football smartphone app to increase the video content, including their new goals service. One of the videos is a "Saturday preview" which uses the new PL branding for transitions but otherwise the normal Sky graphics.

Shame but it was a rumour which didn't pick up any momentum. Guess the best we can hope for is they might have picked up the rights from next year but I doubt it.

Sky Sports investment in 4K, clearly, to me anyway, paying off with a much improved HD picture on their Season Opener coverage. The detail showing in Redknapp's jacket and the pitchside astroturf is considerable.

No change to Sky's graphics.

Soccer Saturday Prematch turned out to be a normal SSN bulletin with added Soccer Saturday branding.

The new graphics from img are on 7e Fta today I might as well make the most of it whilst it lasts.

Wow it's simplified maybe too simplified I got to admit I preferred the old graphics and titles from David Lowe

Scoreboard very nice the clock is sponsored by the way it unveils itself below the clock from time to time

I like how Sky Sports still have that DOG animation that says 'Even Better in HD' underneath. Are they going to change it to 'Even More Better in UHD'?

Now looking at Sky same old graphics at least their scoreboard takes up less space.

The clock appears to be sponsored by TAG Heuer now.

They are the Premier League time keeping partner company.

The logo will also appear on BT Sport and the PL world feed.

The 4th assistants sub board is also now in the shape of a Tag Heuer watch.

Have Sky changed anything it just looks the same.

Minor tweaks to the replay transitions and titles reflecting the new PL identity and bringing them up to UHD.

Sky normally launch new graphics packages at the start of year 2 of a PL contract.