At the time of writing, England are cruising to an unlikely victory over Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy held in South Africa. Yet only Sky TV are covering the event; not even the BBC can provide token radio coverage that they normally reserve for England home Test matches and numerous one-dayers. The 2009 Ashes win was the first home Anglo-Australian contest not to be shown on terrestrial television, and this may have grave consequences for the game.
A Sporting Initiative
The ECB initiative "Chance to Shine" aims to bring cricket back into the school playing fields by employing coaches to train kids and get them involved in the playing of cricket in a secure environment. This scheme is a belated method of getting youngsters into the club pyramid, and is much needed after the rights of televised cricket was bought by Sky in 2005 replacing the successful Channel 4 coverage. This controversial move proved universally unpopular, so much so that one MP, John Grogan, tabled a motion to review the list of sports, and in particular test cricket to be shown on terrestial television, whilst another MP, Paul Rowen, also tabled an early day motion.
The Lure of 20/20 Millions
The world 20/20 championships held in early season 2009 gained token BBC highlights as did the last disastrous World Cup in 2007, but many matches were confined to late night graveyard slots. Cricket equipment, facilities and coaches all have to be paid for as it is an expensive game compared to football or athletics, and the ways that the ECB try to gain much needed revenue will be from predominately one day game overkill and the money gained from Sky. Yet how can kids get involved in cricket if, in the throes of a recession, hard nosed parents can not afford to splash out on cable or satellite?
BBC Bidding War
Whilst the BBC has exclusive radio rights, it has not shown live test cricket since 1998. The radio coverage though is informative, occasionally light hearted yet professional, and provides a welcome contrast to Sky's over critical, intense and hard nosed edges. With the Six Nations Rugby returning to the Beeb's Autumn schedule, the blanket F1 coverage winning over new and old petrol heads, and the Saturday night Football League highlights proving to be hearty, personal and warm, is it not time for the Auntie BBC to make an audacious bid for the Test Match coverage once again. It need not take up the whole of the mainstream schedules, especially with the "Red Button" innovation, or the chance to be screened on BBC3 or BBC4, much more palatable than "Freaky Eaters" that is normally shown on the aforementioned channel. With the licence fee increasing year upon year, it could be a gamble that will pay off, especially if an eight or a nine year old sees the drama and emotion of any future England victories and is inspired to try out the sport for themselves. England hero Stuart Broad appeared on the Jonathon Ross programme recently, maybe Mr Wossy could take a pay cut and donate that extra cash to the BBC TV Sport coffers!
Miracles do happen. England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets incidentally.
 |
