Masters is off the Beeb

[Imurg]

Sky have announced they will be the exclusive live broadcaster of The Masters in the UK from 2020
So no weekend watching on BBC anymore.
I trust they will show highlights though...

 

[robinthehood]

Thats a shame, not sure i'll pay to watch it.

 

[Imurg]

Last few years I've watched through nowtv on Thursday and Friday but watched the Beeb on the weekend.
Mainly for the lack of adverts, not that there were that many.

 

[Jacko_G]

Hopefully it'll go to another streaming host as I really can't stand Sky Golf team these days.

 

[Robin Hood]

No issue, much prefer Sky's coverage to that of the BBC

I'm with you.
I am a happy Sky subscriber.

 

[IanM]

Not good for growing the game to the folk who havent got Sky.

 

[jim8flog]

Not surprising with just two channels it just does not want golf on one channel for that long.

It just prefers to have tennis on both channels for twice as long.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

So that’s the last golf on free to air Telly - not great

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not surprising with just two channels it just does not want golf on one channel for that long.

It just prefers to have tennis on both channels for twice as long.

It’s not a BBC choice - Sky have used their money to gain exclusive rights

It was always going to happen - Sky knew that a considerable amount of people switched over when BBC turned on over the Saturday and their level of viewers far outstripped Sky and it didn’t help their monopoly- It’s a big shame for the sport that it’s all now gone

 

[Papas1982]

Glad to see it tbh.

One company happy to spend money on the game, another was happy to sell their rights early to the major they did have.

I find it hard to blame sky for playing hard ball and buying the rights. Will have a Google in a bit, but I imagine they pay significantly more per day than the need did for the do major days.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it was only a matter of time but lets be honest look at what Sky chuck at their broadcast and what they are promising https://www.skysports.com/golf/news...ive-live-broadcaster-of-the-masters-in-the-uk

Add in they show the par 3 and it gets my vote. I don't buy into all this "growing the game on the BBC" A lot of clubs have Sky subscriptions and we are already planning our own par 3 comp to tie in with the coverage of the event in the evening and running a pick the pro in aid of the captains charity. If people want to take up golf does anyone really think having (or not having) access to the Masters makes that much difference? If so show me the facts

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Glad to see it tbh.

One company happy to spend money on the game, another was happy to sell their rights early to the major they did have.

I find it hard to blame sky for playing hard ball and buying the rights. Will have a Google in a bit, but I imagine they pay significantly more per day than the need did for the do

Glad to see it tbh.

One company happy to spend money on the game, another was happy to sell their rights early to the major they did have.

I find it hard to blame sky for playing hard ball and buying the rights. Will have a Google in a bit, but I imagine they pay significantly more per day than the need did for the do major days.

Sky are always going to be able to pay more for sport events - that’s not exactly new news , the BBC run on a budget from the government from the license fee so it’s going to always be hard for the BBC to outbid Sky - they have to cater for the wide spectrum of viewers across their channels

Whenever the BBC broadcast a golf event the viewing figures are around 3-4 million - Sky barely reaches 1 million . So golf has now lost millions of viewers and that for me is never a good thing I suspect you don’t care about the millions who don’t have Sky but I’ll be interested to know what this Sky money has done for the game of golf ? Nothing has gone to the clubs , the only people to gain are the players with the increase in prize money - that’s where the Masters money will go.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Glad to see it tbh.

One company happy to spend money on the game, another was happy to sell their rights early to the major they did have.

I find it hard to blame sky for playing hard ball and buying the rights. Will have a Google in a bit, but I imagine they pay significantly more per day than the need did for the do major days.

Totally agree. I don't get all this where has the money gone? The BBC sold their golfing soul many moons ago and at best have paid lip service to the game whereas Sky has taken the plunge and invested in getting as much TV rights as they can. I am certain those hard done by BBC viewers will be able to find a way to purchase a day pass to watch the action should they so wish. I really think all this golf on terrestrial grows the game is rubbish and to be honest surely the onus for that has to be on the R&A as the guardian of the game and all the money they make to invest this back into grass roots and not rely on a TV company run as a business to make money

 

[timd77]

I think it was only a matter of time but lets be honest look at what Sky chuck at their broadcast and what they are promising https://www.skysports.com/golf/news...ive-live-broadcaster-of-the-masters-in-the-uk

Add in they show the par 3 and it gets my vote. I don't buy into all this "growing the game on the BBC" A lot of clubs have Sky subscriptions and we are already planning our own par 3 comp to tie in with the coverage of the event in the evening and running a pick the pro in aid of the captains charity. If people want to take up golf does anyone really think having (or not having) access to the Masters makes that much difference? If so show me the facts

Yeh, me. Would never have been interested in the game if it hadn’t been for my parents allowing me to take the portable tv out of the kitchen, and up to my bedroom to watch it until the finish on a Sunday night, even with school the next day. We didn’t have sky (obviously) and nor do the majority of people now.

Don’t blame sky at all, it’s just a real shame that those without it can no longer watch anything decent without paying £30 a month or whatever it is.

Not to mention those casual players who play 3-4 times a year, especially after the masters and the open. They aren’t going to pay £30+ a month to watch golf twice a year. They just won’t bother.

 

[Birdie2]

Glad to see it. One investing money and one not.

The game won't grow on BBC. Most youngsters are consuming content through a mobile device these days and sky are doing a lot to reach them. Fair play. Sky are growing the game in my opinion and this should be applauded.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Glad to see it. One investing money and one not.

The game won't grow on BBC. Most youngsters are consuming content through a mobile device these days and sky are doing a lot to reach them. Fair play. Sky are growing the game in my opinion and this should be applauded.

Can you confirm how sky are “growing the game” ?

 

[Papas1982]

Sky are always going to be able to pay more for sport events - that’s not exactly new news , the BBC run on a budget from the government from the license fee so it’s going to always be hard for the BBC to outbid Sky - they have to cater for the wide spectrum of viewers across their channels

Whenever the BBC broadcast a golf event the viewing figures are around 3-4 million - Sky barely reaches 1 million . So golf has now lost millions of viewers and that for me is never a good thing I suspect you don’t care about the millions who don’t have Sky but I’ll be interested to know what this Sky money has done for the game of golf ? Nothing has gone to the clubs , the only people to gain are the players with the increase in prize money - that’s where the Masters money will go.

Obviously more people will watch something for free. I’d imagine that more of the million that watch the golf on sky will either play golf regularly or will go on to play than the extra 2, 3m that watched it on the bbc.

The bbc had the rights to the open and sold it back a year early. That wasn’t poor old bbc being out bid. It was the bbc deciding it didn’t wanna spend money on golf. Tv coverage is a business, I’m sure The bbc have taken plenty of hosts from small radio stations or shows from lesser tv channels because of their bigger budget.

This notion that that the money sky pays has to grow the game is ridiculous imo. That’s the governing bodies job. That being said, the extra money the players no ear has turned them into superstars who kids aspire too. Look at some of the main guys twitter accounts and their follower numbers. More people are aware of the players these days than would ever before. All whilst the sport has been behind a paywall.

As to caring about those that don’t get to see it, the prem isn’t available on the bbc, nor is pool, ten pin bowling, horse racing, and many many more. Do we pity the too, or accept in this day and age top entertainment, be that sport, or tv generally comes behind a paywall as improved (more coverage) costs money.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Yeh, me. Would never have been interested in the game if it hadn’t been for my parents allowing me to take the portable tv out of the kitchen, and up to my bedroom to watch it until the finish on a Sunday night, even with school the next day. We didn’t have sky (obviously) and nor do the majority of people now.

Don’t blame sky at all, it’s just a real shame that those without it can no longer watch anything decent without paying £30 a month or whatever it is.

Not to mention those casual players who play 3-4 times a year, especially after the masters and the open. They aren’t going to pay £30+ a month to watch golf twice a year. They just won’t bother.

Don't get me wrong, I grew up watching Seve win along with Lyle Faldo and Woosie and loved watching it with my parents but I had already got a interest in golf through my dad. All it did was tell me the lighter nights were coming and I could be up the club after school. At the time it was solely on BBC and so no competition. However these days I am sure those that really want to can find a way to watch through a mobile device or on TV with a daily pass. I would also suggest that if like you as a kid you wanted to watch it, chances are if the parents also have an interest in golf they'll already have Sky. I would still like to see some proof that BBC coverage led to a greater take up of golf especially compared to Skys coverage

 

[Papas1982]

1, Yeh, me. Would never have been interested in the game if it hadn’t been for my parents allowing me to take the portable tv out of the kitchen, and up to my bedroom to watch it until the finish on a Sunday night, even with school the next day. We didn’t have sky (obviously) and nor do the majority of people now.

Don’t blame sky at all, it’s just a real shame that those without it can no longer watch anything decent without paying £30 a month or whatever it is.

2, Not to mention those casual players who play 3-4 times a year, especially after the masters and the open. They aren’t going to pay £30+ a month to watch golf twice a year. They just won’t bother.

Re point 1. If it’s the same portable tv my folks had, they were considered a luxury and those sort of families will now have sky.

Point 2. You can watch a week of now tv for £8. Seriously the idea it’s either £30 a week or nothing simply isn’t the case and hasn’t been for some time. how many people pay that for Netflix, amazon or a movie these days. The people who genuinely want to watch it will. There are still free highlights for all kids to be able to see. How many stories do we hear where sports stars watched or played a sport with mum/dad? Those parents will still let kids watch it late at night if that’s when it’s free.

 

[timd77]

Don't get me wrong, I grew up watching Seve win along with Lyle Faldo and Woosie and loved watching it with my parents but I had already got a interest in golf through my dad. All it did was tell me the lighter nights were coming and I could be up the club after school. At the time it was solely on BBC and so no competition. However these days I am sure those that really want to can find a way to watch through a mobile device or on TV with a daily pass. I would also suggest that if like you as a kid you wanted to watch it, chances are if the parents also have an interest in golf they'll already have Sky. I would still like to see some proof that BBC coverage led to a greater take up of golf especially compared to Skys coverage

I see both sides and agree with what you and others have said, it’s not up to sky or bbc to grow the game. And you’re right, people who already enjoy the game will pay for sky, and get their kids into it. But I, like many others, had parents who weren’t the slightest bit interested in golf, but I was sports mad and got hooked on golf. It’s those and the casual watchers we’ll be losing, which in my opinion is a bad thing.

I do take the point though that the top players now are superstars, and can only hope that their status and social media following, continues to grow the game.

I’m just peed off that I’ll now have to admit defeat and get sky!