: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:20 am  

DParky wrote:

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

Please god no, almost every event ITV has touched has been a disaster in viewing terms.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:53 am  

ITV's coverage of RL in the 80's was first class it was only that the BBC then SKY cried to the RFL for exclusive coverage.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:09 pm  

Nothing to do with the BBC. It's the list of protected sports events that the government say should not be allowed to be sold to subsciption channels and should remain free to air. With home cricket test series and England qualifiers going back on the list something had to give way. I would guess the beeb would want to keep it if they could but if not I'm sure one of the other terrestrial channels would be interested at the right price.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:10 pm  

It was back in the 80's SkY didn't exsist then.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:01 pm  

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.

To me the CC and beeb is what its all about. Ray French is like Murray Walker is to Formula one. I know he is far from perfect and should retire but to me it will be a sad day when Stevo and co get hold of the CC.
Sky have done wonders with SL, and will probably give us better coverage and jazz it up a bit. But.....
Most important bit tho is lack of live RL on normal telly.

I am far from a cricket fan, but can someone advise how their tv figures do ? Don't wish to offend cricket fans but when I think of this sport then dull springs to mind.

: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:00 pm  

I don't see why they can't broker a deal like they did with the MotoGP series and have it on pay TV and Free To Air. Anyone who knows anything about motorbikes watches the coverage on Eurosport (with a delay) but they also stick it on the BBC (to get more people watching) but they have to 'dumb down' the commentary because they have to appeal to a wider demographic. Same could apply to rugby league. People who know about the game watch it on SKY (because love or hate the people behind the mics they do a good job) and Average Joe can watch on BBC or what ever so it reaches a wider audience.