I nearly missed this story.
Will the Government stand up to BSkyB and make them sort out some free live coverage with the terrestrial broadcasters for next summer? Or will a ‘fudge’ be concocted that denies universal coverage to the terrestrial TV viewer? After all, the satellite broadcaster has poured a lot of money and televisual expertise into cricket: county matches are also covered, and energy and focus have been brought to the sport. But who cares about all that if only 300,000 or so viewers see the matches?
Channel 4 did lots of energising for cricekt too - with the added handicap of inappropriate advertising, and slouching off mid-over to watch some sad soap opera. Yet Sunset & Vine garnered more than several awards for their cricket coverage...
If the Government did insist that a terrestrial broadcaster show the cricket - who would answer the call? The BBC? C4? 5ive (Channnel 5) ? If none of them bid for the live rights a few months back, how will they seek to convince the Government (and the E(W)CB) of their interest now? Perhaps the E(W)CB are desperate for exposure, just as I surmised in a previous blog, and on poorcricketfan’s website.
The review hasn‘t taken place yet. But when it does, I’m hoping that live cricket coverage of the major tournaments in the UK will not be relegated to the satellite channel, but that anyone with a bonafide interest in cricket (or anyone per se who just wants to know what cricket is) can watch the whole match. Live. On free-to-air television.
That’s all I’ve ever wanted.