Think this is a loss leader, by having this on the BBC, it means that the terrestrial channels only show PDC product, with BDO now being the preserve of BT. I imagine this is the beginning of the end of the BDO as that kind of organisation, whether it will remain governing the amateur game, that's the question.
TL
Toby Lerone
Even the BDO hardcore on twitter are saying the organisation is dead with the loss of the BBC deal, the BBC have chosen a brand new tournament over a tournament they have covered since 1978 and they fully blame the BDO for burying their head in the sand and breaking promises to top players rather than the BBC. The BDO promised 5 major tournaments this year and the first the BDO Players Championship has already been cancelled and have apparently lost their deal with Eurosport so if BT Sport don't stand by the organisation they are gone.
It will be a sad day for amateur darts and ladies darts if the BDO go.
To be fair, considering the BDO world championships are title sponsored by the venue that it's held in, instead of a proper external title sponsor makes you wonder how hard they are trying on keeping the broadcasters on side. Plus, when thinking about the PDC World Darts Championships - the BDO version, is like comparing The Eurovision Song Contest with a village garden fate, held in the church hall due to rain.
My friend at work, loves the PDC darts, but can't watch the BDO championships. He always says of it "is that the one, where the crowd aren't allowed to make a noise?"
I do wonder, if this maybe the start of a cosy relationship with the PDC for the BBC? Just possible that PDC TV may produce a highlights package for the BBC for the World Darts Championships at the end of this year, which would go some way to filling the bullseye sized gap left, by the BBC withdrawing from the Lakeside.
A no-brainer really for the BBC in this case - even though it's just two days that compares favourably with just afternoon coverage of a tournament which will always be in the PDCs shadow.
Have C4 lost their nerve - they try and sell themselves as fresh and innovative and yet take the BBC lite route. After their success with the Paralympic theme which is arguably much more associated with London 2012 now than the BBC Olympic theme I thought they'd pull something out of the bag.
