A sorry state of affairs
By Vicky Cartwright
July 23 2002
Like me, many of you must be wondering just what is going on with coverage of the game on television these days. So who are the main protagonists in this, what are they offering and what do I think about their product?
By Vicky Cartwright
July 23 2002
Like me, many of you must be wondering just what is going on with coverage of the game on television these days. So who are the main protagonists in this, what are they offering and what do I think about their product?
The Beeb has coverage of the European Cup and some of the Six Nations. Sky has the Premiership, some of the 6 nations, and a whole host of other international games. And if you've got ITV sport (and who has?) you can get more European Cup on there too.
Good old BBC
Let's look at the Beeb first. In theory, European Cup on the Beeb should give both the game and competition great exposure, but the way that it is handled leaves a lot to be desired. The BBC clearly feels that we need to know all about football even though they can't show us any. So on a Saturday afternoon, rugby coverage is constantly interrupted with graphics giving scores, and then there's the half time football scores.
Rugby a nuisance?
No time for a proper analysis of the rugby then. I was amazed when watching the Llanelli game that the live feed disappeared due to a technical glitch just before half time. No mention was made of the match for the next 15 minutes until after the football half times had been given. Were they expecting that we would just forget it until after the football? No, time to fire up the PC for coverage on Radio Leicester via the internet. And I won't even discuss the standards of match commentary, and pre/post match analysis!
Will Rugby Special be special?
Rugby Special will be returning to our screens shortly, but in an unfamiliar guise and at an unfamiliar time. Rumour has it that it will lack highlights and concentrate more on analysis. And it will be shown at 23:20 on a Thursday after Newsnight.
WHY?
There is a huge pent up demand for decent highlights on non-digital TV, and we end up with a show that won't satisfy that demand, and will therefore struggle to attract and retain an audience.
BBC Football personality of the year!
And then there's the annual junket otherwise known as BBC Sports Personality. The amount of time devoted to rugby on that show was an utter disgrace. Are the achievements of the Tigers, and the Rugby League boys too, so insignificant?
The Tigers won an unprecedented treble, a feat which may never be repeated (or will it?) and they got perhaps 10 seconds of coverage. Had the Lions been victorious in Australia, would it have made much difference? Sadly, perhaps not.
The Beeb didn't have the rights to show the matches. The most irritating thing is that if one of the broadcasters doesn't have the rights to show a particular competition, they ignore it as if it never happened. What about the fans?! Are we supposed to be grateful that the game gets a mention at all?
A look to the Sky
What about Sky? Well, the others should take note from the amount of effort that Sky puts into their coverage. The overall presentation of the matches is excellent, whether it is an international or a Premiership game. In the early days, the balance was perhaps lacking in the match commentaries, but over time things have improved greatly. However, some of the opinions expressed by some of the regulars are perhaps a little rabid for my taste.
As for the Rugby Club, well perhaps not enough highlights even though the show is now 90 minutes long and includes a look at National Division 1 too. The interview pieces are well thought out and often pose some difficult questions. The new, improved Rugby Special is going to have to go an awful long way to beat it.
But, if you want Super 12, the Lions, Currie Cup, Tri-Nations, England in the 6 Nations, Premiership, Playoffs and Powergen Cup, then this is where it's at.
The digital revolution
As for ITV. Well, I'm one of the millions who don't have ITV Sport, and I don't know anyone that does! All I can say is that they covered Leicester vs Leinster, which was subsequently highlighted on the Beeb, and the camerawork was awful. Too many close-ups and a total inability to follow the ball. Must try harder!
Unless you play your sport with a round shaped ball, there seems little chance of getting any decent, balanced coverage on terrestrial television. That leaves little choice other than to get digital TV and the costs that go with it, or suffer with what we have now.
Me? Well, I pay for Sky digital and the superior coverage that it offers, even if it means enduring the occasional overzealous rantings of some of the pundits. If that means I can watch the Tigers, England and Pat Howard in the Super 12, I'll live with it...
Date: 13/2/2002
Good old BBC
Let's look at the Beeb first. In theory, European Cup on the Beeb should give both the game and competition great exposure, but the way that it is handled leaves a lot to be desired. The BBC clearly feels that we need to know all about football even though they can't show us any. So on a Saturday afternoon, rugby coverage is constantly interrupted with graphics giving scores, and then there's the half time football scores.
Rugby a nuisance?
No time for a proper analysis of the rugby then. I was amazed when watching the Llanelli game that the live feed disappeared due to a technical glitch just before half time. No mention was made of the match for the next 15 minutes until after the football half times had been given. Were they expecting that we would just forget it until after the football? No, time to fire up the PC for coverage on Radio Leicester via the internet. And I won't even discuss the standards of match commentary, and pre/post match analysis!
Will Rugby Special be special?
Rugby Special will be returning to our screens shortly, but in an unfamiliar guise and at an unfamiliar time. Rumour has it that it will lack highlights and concentrate more on analysis. And it will be shown at 23:20 on a Thursday after Newsnight.
WHY?
There is a huge pent up demand for decent highlights on non-digital TV, and we end up with a show that won't satisfy that demand, and will therefore struggle to attract and retain an audience.
BBC Football personality of the year!
And then there's the annual junket otherwise known as BBC Sports Personality. The amount of time devoted to rugby on that show was an utter disgrace. Are the achievements of the Tigers, and the Rugby League boys too, so insignificant?
The Tigers won an unprecedented treble, a feat which may never be repeated (or will it?) and they got perhaps 10 seconds of coverage. Had the Lions been victorious in Australia, would it have made much difference? Sadly, perhaps not.
The Beeb didn't have the rights to show the matches. The most irritating thing is that if one of the broadcasters doesn't have the rights to show a particular competition, they ignore it as if it never happened. What about the fans?! Are we supposed to be grateful that the game gets a mention at all?
A look to the Sky
What about Sky? Well, the others should take note from the amount of effort that Sky puts into their coverage. The overall presentation of the matches is excellent, whether it is an international or a Premiership game. In the early days, the balance was perhaps lacking in the match commentaries, but over time things have improved greatly. However, some of the opinions expressed by some of the regulars are perhaps a little rabid for my taste.
As for the Rugby Club, well perhaps not enough highlights even though the show is now 90 minutes long and includes a look at National Division 1 too. The interview pieces are well thought out and often pose some difficult questions. The new, improved Rugby Special is going to have to go an awful long way to beat it.
But, if you want Super 12, the Lions, Currie Cup, Tri-Nations, England in the 6 Nations, Premiership, Playoffs and Powergen Cup, then this is where it's at.
The digital revolution
As for ITV. Well, I'm one of the millions who don't have ITV Sport, and I don't know anyone that does! All I can say is that they covered Leicester vs Leinster, which was subsequently highlighted on the Beeb, and the camerawork was awful. Too many close-ups and a total inability to follow the ball. Must try harder!
Unless you play your sport with a round shaped ball, there seems little chance of getting any decent, balanced coverage on terrestrial television. That leaves little choice other than to get digital TV and the costs that go with it, or suffer with what we have now.
Me? Well, I pay for Sky digital and the superior coverage that it offers, even if it means enduring the occasional overzealous rantings of some of the pundits. If that means I can watch the Tigers, England and Pat Howard in the Super 12, I'll live with it...
Date: 13/2/2002
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