BBC Coverage of RL : Sat Nov 14, 2009 2:02 pm  

I heard an interesting snippet on BBC Radio news on Thursday. It would appear that BBC TV are in with a shout of/making bigger bids for, coverage of 'major' sporting events. (e.g. the next cricket Ashes series) All good news, (if you haven't got SKY) but the sting in the tail was that the 'Beeb' are likely to jettison other sports coverage - and the RL Challenge Cup Final was quoted as an example of a sports event to be sacrificed, by BBC TV.

Now, love or loathe BBC coverage of RL, it would be a huge loss to the Sport, if it were not to be covered on 'terrestrial' TV.

: Sat Nov 14, 2009 2:10 pm  

Wasn't this discussed last week sometime?

: Sat Nov 14, 2009 4:55 pm  

The BBC are absolute Turds if this is the case. The RFL moved the Final from its traditional may slot too August, too accommodate these parasites!

: Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:09 pm  

Amazing when you think about the time and costs needed to cover events like the Ashes and Wimbledon compared to one match at Wembley in August

: Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:58 pm  

Starbug wrote:

Amazing when you think about the time and costs needed to cover events like the Ashes and Wimbledon compared to one match at Wembley in August

There's 9 matches altogether, but it's still not alot in the scheme of things.

I can't say I'd be bothered if SKY had the rights to the Challenge Cup. I actually think the SKY coverage is much better anyways. I'm not a fan of the waffling by Stevo and Eddie and Phil 'Statman' Clarke but it's better than French and Davies constantly getting the names wrong on the Beeb.

: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:51 pm  

actually Dave the final was moved because the RFL moved to summer rugby and wanted it moving further back in the year.

: Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:57 pm  

Paul HHZ wrote:

There's 9 matches altogether, but it's still not alot in the scheme of things.

I can't say I'd be bothered if SKY had the rights to the Challenge Cup. I actually think the SKY coverage is much better anyways. I'm not a fan of the waffling by Stevo and Eddie and Phil 'Statman' Clarke but it's better than French and Davies constantly getting the names wrong on the Beeb.

bit selfish, I assume you have SKY, plenty don't, and the exposure on the beeb can only help get a wider audience

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:18 am  

ColD wrote:

bit selfish, I assume you have SKY, plenty don't, and the exposure on the beeb can only help get a wider audience

Fair comment, and yes perhaps it is a bit selfish. The BBC coverage is frustrating to me though and they've got rid of everything else worth showing and it hasn't done those sports any harm. Look at the Ashes, Football, Union etc. have all flourished without the Beeb.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:44 am  

Paul HHZ wrote:

Fair comment, and yes perhaps it is a bit selfish. The BBC coverage is frustrating to me though and they've got rid of everything else worth showing and it hasn't done those sports any harm. Look at the Ashes, Football, Union etc. have all flourished without the Beeb.

Paul,

These are the type of events that BBC are now chasing - again! If I were a sponsor of RL, I think I would be happier to see my product/business exposed to the approx. 2-3 Million terrestrial viewers, than approx. 10% of that number watching on SKY. Hopefully, Messrs Lewis & Wood are aware of the BBC's plans, and can sell our game to one of the other terrestrial companies.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:46 am  

Challenge Cup on ITV has a ring to it..... and with 4 channels we might see a bit more coverage (I hope)