WA
Channel 4 continues to 'record' / while it has to air a break. Everything is then on a delay until the end of the podium.
Ben Edwards voice is being duplicated on Channel 4. Wtf?
Channel 4 continues to 'record' / while it has to air a break. Everything is then on a delay until the end of the podium.
JA
A bit delayed to post this, but the BBC seemed to really not make much of an effort with their England rugby highlights on Saturday, the commentary was just absymal and monotone. I had Sky and no, Stuart Barnes isn't the best, I'd far sooner have the excellent BT Sport rugby commentary team any day. But I just got the feeling the BBC were just paying lip-service to their rights.
It's a shame rather, still in two minds about whether Channel 4 are much cop and I don't like how ITV cut to adverts immediately after the anthems on any of their internationals.
It's a shame rather, still in two minds about whether Channel 4 are much cop and I don't like how ITV cut to adverts immediately after the anthems on any of their internationals.
BR
C4 seems to have been relatively well received - think it's been a masterstroke going for a commentator unknown in the UK but with significant experience covering Ireland rather than a "name" who may know their rugby but not necessarily the Irish team in depth.
Note the Barbarians game is on the BBC rather than Sky next week so think that leaves Sky with just England Internationals, the Sevens series and then what they air through the SANZAR deal. Should potentially be a bit of free to air interest in the England rights which are due for renewal - imagine both ITV and C4 throwing their hat in the ring.
Note the Barbarians game is on the BBC rather than Sky next week so think that leaves Sky with just England Internationals, the Sevens series and then what they air through the SANZAR deal. Should potentially be a bit of free to air interest in the England rights which are due for renewal - imagine both ITV and C4 throwing their hat in the ring.
Last edited by Brekkie on 26 November 2018 7:43pm
JA
Yep, pretty certain the Sanzar & England live rights are up at the end of 2019/20 season. Shouldn't imagine there being much terrestrial interest in Sanzar but I would bet against BT having a go at them. Friday & Saturday mornings, and the occasional lunchtime game, shouldn't interfere with Premiership stuff too much.
England deal.. I really can't see Sky wanting to lose that. Never would have said it a few years ago, but I wouldn't be sad to see C5 get the FTA element of that.
England deal.. I really can't see Sky wanting to lose that. Never would have said it a few years ago, but I wouldn't be sad to see C5 get the FTA element of that.
RD
rdd
Founding member
It’s a bit more than the occasional lunchtime match to be fair - the vast majority of home games in South Africa are on Saturday afternoon (in fact Springboks home games are almost inevitably at Saturday 4:05pm) and there are some early evening kickoffs, though for various reasons SA doesn’t tend to go for prime time games.
Meanwhile Jaguares/Argentina home games are in our prime time or late night, though obviously there are only a quarter of the number of Jaguares home games as there are the four SA franchises combined!
It’s a big time commitment - Sky were effectively broadcasting everything in both the Rugby Championship and SuperRugby though obviously in recent times the latter basically been host broadcaster feed for the entire regular season, with a studio wrap only provided for the play offs.
Sky have also had the South African Currie Cup and New Zealand National Provincial Championship - they are not technically SANZAAR competitions and I’m not sure if they fall under the deal or are seperate.
Irrespective of that SANZAAR as a deal does give a lot of content and while it’s proabbly more one for the hardcore than causal rugby supporter, it has its advantage in that it runs through the Northern Hemisphere summer and is (World Cup years aside) typically the only rugby being played in July/August. I can’t see it being one Sky would fight to keep but at the same time it wouldn’t be one BT would be falling over themselves to acquire either.
Meanwhile Jaguares/Argentina home games are in our prime time or late night, though obviously there are only a quarter of the number of Jaguares home games as there are the four SA franchises combined!
It’s a big time commitment - Sky were effectively broadcasting everything in both the Rugby Championship and SuperRugby though obviously in recent times the latter basically been host broadcaster feed for the entire regular season, with a studio wrap only provided for the play offs.
Sky have also had the South African Currie Cup and New Zealand National Provincial Championship - they are not technically SANZAAR competitions and I’m not sure if they fall under the deal or are seperate.
Irrespective of that SANZAAR as a deal does give a lot of content and while it’s proabbly more one for the hardcore than causal rugby supporter, it has its advantage in that it runs through the Northern Hemisphere summer and is (World Cup years aside) typically the only rugby being played in July/August. I can’t see it being one Sky would fight to keep but at the same time it wouldn’t be one BT would be falling over themselves to acquire either.
Last edited by rdd on 27 November 2018 10:30am - 3 times in total
JA
Fair point, I don't tend to have much interest in the all-Springbok games, but try to at least flick-through all the Kiwi & Wallaby fixtures. But you're right.
All fair.. and I've always got the impression that Sky NZ being rights holders makes it a double-quick-win.
The other thing, you've rightly pointed out that it gives a lot of content and while most of it is for hardcore fans mainly - you do get the golden crumbs of covering the All Blacks home games and English & Welsh summer tours.
It’s a bit more than the occasional lunchtime match to be fair - the vast majority of home games in South Africa are on Saturday afternoon (in fact Springboks home games are almost inevitably at Saturday 4:05pm) and there are some early evening kickoffs, though for various reasons SA doesn’t tend to go for prime time games.
Fair point, I don't tend to have much interest in the all-Springbok games, but try to at least flick-through all the Kiwi & Wallaby fixtures. But you're right.
Irrespective of that SANZAAR as a deal does give a lot of content and while it’s proabbly more one for the hardcore than causal rugby supporter, it has its advantage in that it runs through the Northern Hemisphere summer and is (World Cup years aside) typically the only rugby being played in July/August. I can’t see it being one Sky would fight to keep but at the same time it wouldn’t be one BT would be falling over themselves to acquire either.
All fair.. and I've always got the impression that Sky NZ being rights holders makes it a double-quick-win.
The other thing, you've rightly pointed out that it gives a lot of content and while most of it is for hardcore fans mainly - you do get the golden crumbs of covering the All Blacks home games and English & Welsh summer tours.
ST
Quest have picked up the rights to 4 live races and highlights of all this season's Formula E-prix. This is in addition to the BBC's package announced earlier this month (1 race live on regular TV, the rest on Red Button or online).
Interesting strategy from Formula E - there will also be live, free coverage available on YouTube, so they're really trying every avenue to build the audience.
Interesting strategy from Formula E - there will also be live, free coverage available on YouTube, so they're really trying every avenue to build the audience.
DV
Longtime Cycling Commentator and former competitor Paul Sherwen has died unexpectedly in Uganda where he lived and worked
So sad to hear of the untimely passing of Paul Sherwen. I raced against him many years ago as an amateur when he was just starting out. We shared the same coach in Harold Nelson. It was soon clear he was a classy bike rider. And he became a great commentator. Rest In Peace, Paul.
— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonOBE) December 2, 2018
UK
Part of a great commentary duo alongside Phil Ligget. For me they were the sound of Le Tour for over 20 years.
Longtime Cycling Commentator and former competitor Paul Sherwen has died unexpectedly in Uganda where he lived and worked
Part of a great commentary duo alongside Phil Ligget. For me they were the sound of Le Tour for over 20 years.
BR
Racing UK to rebrand Racing TV from the New Year to reflect the inclusion of Irish racing.
https://www.a516digital.com/2018/12/racing-uk-to-be-renamed-racing-tv.html
https://www.a516digital.com/2018/12/racing-uk-to-be-renamed-racing-tv.html