THE SCOTTISH Curling championship has crowned both the men's and women's winners amid anger around BBC Sport cutting the live streams of the events.
Both teams have been crowned Scottish curling champions for the first time.
Fay Henderson led Hailey Duff, Amy MacDonald and Katie McMillan in their win on Saturday morning.
They remained in control with a steal in the fifth that took the standings to 5-1 at the break, forcing last year's winners, Team Morrison, to prompt handshakes. The final score was 9-2.
Ross Whyte led Robin Brydone, Duncan McFadzean and Euan Kyle, with the foursome winning the title over Team Craik with a point in the extra end.
After winning all eight round-robin matches, Whyte's team beat Team Craik 7-6 in final.
Previously, Team Craik had delivered an astounding 9-1 win over Team Mouat - the 2023 world champions and Olympic silver medallists - and denied them a record-breaking fifth Scottish title in six years.
The two finals were not broadcast live on BBC Sport as done in previous years due to a revision of advertising guidelines which concluded the showing would have "undue prominence".
In the broadcaster's editorial guidelines for staff, it states: "It is important to avoid undue prominence in the use of props or services in programmes (both visually and verbally) whether they have been provided free or at reduced cost or purchased.
"We must not give undue prominence to commercial products or services.
"We must not endorse or appear to endorse any commercial organisation, its products, activities, brands, slogans or services.
"References to trade marks, brand names, logos or slogans are only acceptable if clearly editorially justifiable.
"We must not linger on brand names or logos and use verbal references sparingly unless there are very strong editorial reasons for repeated references to a brand."
SNP MP Gavin Newlands wrote on Twitter/X on Saturday after the announcement by Scottish Curling, the sport's governing body, and said he would request a meeting with the broadcasters over the final decision.
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MSP for Stirling, Evelyn Tweed, said: "This is incredibly disappointing to hear that @BBCSport will no longer be streaming the #SCC2024 semis and final.
"Scotland has an incredible record in curling at international and Olympic level and it is disappointing to see the failure of the BBC to recognise this."
One user wrote on Twitter/X in reaction to the news: "Can you imagine if RTÉ said it would no longer cover GAA games so not to give 'undue prominence', or if NRK said it would stop showing Norwegian Skiing.
"It just wouldn’t happen. Scottish Curlers are world champions - so much for 'BBC public broadcasting' reflecting whole UK."
When asked for comment on the decision, a BBC spokesperson said: "BBC Scotland is very committed to covering curling and highlighting this sport and has done so for many years.
"This difficult decision was taken because of undue prominence of sponsorship in this weekend’s event and was in no way a comment on the standing of the sport."
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