Inevitable but a shame. Guessing no FTA highlights unlike last year then.
According to the Times this is a two year deal, so perhaps a stop gap for now.
It emphasises though, as if emphasising was needed, that last months Lions Tour was the end for now of Sky and rugby, as a host broadcaster anyway. Sure they have this years Rugby Championship but as time goes on the prospect of them even being the long term home of Sanzaar must be receding, though I’m not sure we’ll see a repeat of the RugbyPass experiment either.
Seemingly there was some sort of montage at the end of the Third Test coverage but I didn’t see it.
Rdd post_id=35052 time=1629391266 user_id=1409 Wrote:According to the Times this is a two year deal, so perhaps a stop gap for now.
I sincerely hope so. I'm really not a fan of "online-only" on several levels. From what I've read, C4 have linear rights to England's games this year, but Welsh & Scottish fans miss out. In the absence of any reference to 2022's series, I guess all the home nations are online-only without any live linear-TV coverage.
I'd love to know some of the "behind closed doors" thoughts process that have gone on here. Edit: I've seen a reference to this contract being for £20m - that seems pretty low-ball to me. Comparing with what the Six Nations are worth, and some quick "back of fag packet" calculations, I'm quite surprised at that figure.
Never good to see a large portfolio of previously FTA rights go to pay TV. Even one game a week rotating through the 4 nations would keep the series more in the public eye. Wonder where the Barbarians, usually on Sky, will end up aswell?
That Euro 2008 theme really gets a lot of usage these days, it’s latest appearance being on VMTV’s coverage of Flora v Shamrock Rovers.
Also, I see that, despite the demise of eir Sport, the eir Sport set is still standing and in use for Pacos de Ferrara v Spurs on Premier Sports tonight.
On the BBC Scotland channel, loos like filler programming will be required. Sportscene was showing the Cinch championship (scotland's second tier) match, between local rivals Raith Rovers and Dunfermline, at Starks Park Kirkcaldy. However, some of the lights in both ends of the ground, were not working. The game kicked off, but after 14 minutes on the clock, the safety officer came over, and said the game had to be abandoned. 4'000 supporters for the Fife derby, but when Sportscene will finish is unclear, as they're trying to get the referee, the match commander, and the safety officer, to get exact details.
EDIT: Coverage ended 20:17. Also seems that there were problems with floodlights, and streetlights as well.
Street lights too? So it was some sort of power outage in the area then? Not much they could do in that case.
New replay wipes for BT Sport? Distorted PL logo in a circle.
Michael post_id=35273 time= user_id=898 Wrote:New replay wipes for BT Sport? Distorted PL logo in a circle.
...I think that's the Premier League sleeve badge? BT are using it in the titles as opposed to the lion in a grey box previously.
Not sure I fully agree with the article or its suggestions to improve MOTD but there is merit in saying that its USP (PL highlights) are not as unique point as it once was and MOTD needs to bring something to the fame.
Relegation time: The long, dismal death of Match of the Day -
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-enter...06082.html
So all they offer up is bringing in Frank Skinner as a pundit?
I've certainly criticised the amount spent on highlights in the past but in recent years it's ratings have been solid and it certainly benefitted from having a pool of pundits rather than Hansen and Shearer every week. I also think as more and more football has been shown in more and more places having one central show that brings it altogether is even more important.
Brekkie post_id=35308 time= user_id=976 Wrote:So all they offer up is bringing in Frank Skinner as a pundit?
I've certainly criticised the amount spent on highlights in the past but in recent years it's ratings have been solid and it certainly benefitted from having a pool of pundits rather than Hansen and Shearer every week. I also think as more and more football has been shown in more and more places having one central show that brings it altogether is even more important.
I agree with this 100%, I liked Lawro, Hansen & Shearer but it was a bore to have them on every week and since they moved to a pool of pundits and reintroduced Ian Wright and brought in people like Dion Dublin, Jermaine Jenas, Danny Murphy it has more than improved and MOTD2 is one of the best Football shows on TV because of Mark Chapman. Anyone complaining about MOTD or MOTD2 would you rather have that or the Premiership? I certainly prefer MOTD
Brekkie post_id=35308 time= user_id=976 Wrote:So all they offer up is bringing in Frank Skinner as a pundit?
I've certainly criticised the amount spent on highlights in the past but in recent years it's ratings have been solid and it certainly benefitted from having a pool of pundits rather than Hansen and Shearer every week. I also think as more and more football has been shown in more and more places having one central show that brings it altogether is even more important.
Exactly. Match of the Day is probably also only the football coverage on TV where people’s decision to watch is also in part based on the presentation team, with the possible exception Soccer Saturday. I think the programme is pretty solid and is probably valued more than ever.
It's the Independent. Not even a real newspaper, so not worth bothering with.
Yeah, they're such a failure that they ceased publishing the paper and went online only five years ago.