R&A - Good Deal or Greedy

[FairwayDodger]

I think it's a bad thing for the profile of golf in general. However, there's no doubt that Sky's coverage is vastly superior to what the BBC have managed over the last few years. Almost all the criticisms of Sky's golf coverage are based on their American golf stuff on which they are hostage to the host broadcaster's coverage. The job they do on the European tour is pretty good, I think.

 

[Papas1982]

For how much longer? Coverage has been halved in the last 5 years, it'll probably be none within the next 5.

You presume it's familiar beaus of the Beeb? Pretty much my entire social circle is sports orientated so we've all got sky. Maybe that's why Im not averse to their coverage. But generally when we chat about stuff, we don't ask where t was watched.

 

[Tongo]

You presume it's familiar beaus of the Beeb? Pretty much my entire social circle is sports orientated so we've all got sky. Maybe that's why Im not averse to their coverage. But generally when we chat about stuff, we don't ask where t was watched.

How very fortunate for you all. I'd imagine that not all sports fans are in such a position.

 

[Papas1982]

How very fortunate for you all. I'd imagine that not all sports fans are in such a position.

Ok that came out pompous. Simply saying me and my mates can watch sky sports isn't fortinate. I'm sure they all had it on benefit street!

if people can't afford sky, not saying they have to want it. But if affording sky is really that unrealistic for them. Then are they really gonna be the ones inspired to take up golf from the Beeb?

 

[Tongo]

Ok that came out pompous. Simply saying me and my mates can watch sky sports isn't fortinate. I'm sure they all had it on benefit street!

if people can't afford sky, not saying they have to want it. But if affording sky is really that unrealistic for them. Then are they really gonna be the ones inspired to take up golf from the Beeb?

It'd be interesting to know the % of households that have Sky Sports in this country.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Wimbledon?

Wimbledon coverage starts in the afternoon and normally finishes around 8 ( unless a game is still going on )

The golf starts on Red button and 7 in the morning then on normal telly from 8:30 until 8 then highlights later or on the red button or on the web


The BBC has already dedicated most of the day to the live coverage - it then has to cater for the other millions of tax payers

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You presume it's familiar beaus of the Beeb? Pretty much my entire social circle is sports orientated so we've all got sky. Maybe that's why Im not averse to their coverage. But generally when we chat about stuff, we don't ask where t was watched.

What about the majority of the country that aren't fortunate enough to be able to watch sky or afford Sky - their one golf tournament has now gone

 

[Jimaroid]

If the Open being on the BBC improves participation, why have numbers declined in the years it's been on the BBC? Participation is not going to be any better or worse by being on Sky because that's not the problem.

As I've said before. The future golfers, children and teenagers, aren't watching much Broadcast TV any more. The sport needs to broaden it's reach away from TV and market itself in other ways if it wants to appeal to future generations. I'm sure the R&A are aware of this and now is probably the right time to take the larger pile of money on offer to invest in a new future.

Continuing to do the same thing when it isn't working is a path to complete failure.

I love the BBC and abhor Sky, but I think the R&A should take the money and try something new. It's time.

 

[Papas1982]

It'd be interesting to know the % of households that have Sky Sports in this country.

What about the majority of the country that aren't fortunate enough to be able to watch sky or afford Sky - their one golf tournament has now gone

Well according to google there are 25.6m households in the uk.
Of which 16m have a pay per view subscription. What they subscribe to I don't know. But of its not sport then I'd imagine golf isn't something they'd wish to view.

Thats is not a majority without it.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_the_United_Kingdom

 

[HomerJSimpson]

What about the majority of the country that aren't fortunate enough to be able to watch sky or afford Sky - their one golf tournament has now gone

An awful lot of families have Sky or Virgin and so get the football which is largely on Sky bar, the FA cup and England games, so hardly regular and wall to wall coverage of the best players. Having already got that they will get the golf. I really don't get the argument that kids wont' see their idols or see golf on the TV and want to try it. Aside from four days a year at the Open, Masters, RC highlights and other bits and bobs terrestrial TV has shown no golf and so "little Johnny" will get very little chance to see Rory.

I also don't necessarily buy into the argument that majority are poor enough not to be able to afford Sky. Funny how many on benefits, can manage it certainly around here. It's more a consumer rather than financially based one in my opinion

 

[Jungle]

Well according to google there are 25.6m households in the uk.
Of which 16m have a pay per view subscription. What they subscribe to I don't know. But of its not sport then I'd imagine golf isn't something they'd wish to view.

Thats is not a majority without it.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_the_United_Kingdom

Thats about right.

Sky has about 11.4 million customers Virgin just under 5 million. Sky Sports is also available through platforms such as BT, so you could surmise that there is approx 6 - 6.5 million households subscribing to Sky Sports.

 

[patricks148]

TBH, i think if they do the same sort of job as they do with the cricket the coverage will be improved.

The main positive will be a highlights package which ive never seen on the BBC.

 

[Duckster]

The Beeb will still have a highlights show, just not live coverage.

After god knows how many years of this being the status quo in regards to football, rugby, cricket etc.. etc.. pretty sure the viewing public will adapt.

Like most sports. If you want to watch it live, you'll have to get Sky.

 

[Val]

The only golf you see on terrestrial TV currently is the Open Championship and highlights of the Masters (i don't think they show the Scottish Open anymore but i may be wrong). Is it a surprise that Sky got it eventually? I'm surprised it took so long personally and I'm certain they'll do a great job with it, and if I'm honest other than listening to old Peter and watching Ken on the course I thought the BBC did a good job.

 

[Val]

I think it's a bad thing for the profile of golf in general. However, there's no doubt that Sky's coverage is vastly superior to what the BBC have managed over the last few years. Almost all the criticisms of Sky's golf coverage are based on their American golf stuff on which they are hostage to the host broadcaster's coverage. The job they do on the European tour is pretty good, I think.

I think they do a great job with ET golf, SKY have a great mix of personalties covering the ET with Radar, Boxy etc. Like most though I'm not a fan of Roe but can tolerate him.

 

[PIng]

I think it's a bad thing for the profile of golf in general. However, there's no doubt that Sky's coverage is vastly superior to what the BBC have managed over the last few years. Almost all the criticisms of Sky's golf coverage are based on their American golf stuff on which they are hostage to the host broadcaster's coverage. The job they do on the European tour is pretty good, I think.

I agree with everything in this post. It sums it up perfectly in a few sentences.

 

[Piece]

If the Open being on the BBC improves participation, why have numbers declined in the years it's been on the BBC? Participation is not going to be any better or worse by being on Sky because that's not the problem.

As I've said before. The future golfers, children and teenagers, aren't watching much Broadcast TV any more. The sport needs to broaden it's reach away from TV and market itself in other ways if it wants to appeal to future generations. I'm sure the R&A are aware of this and now is probably the right time to take the larger pile of money on offer to invest in a new future.

Continuing to do the same thing when it isn't working is a path to complete failure.

I love the BBC and abhor Sky, but I think the R&A should take the money and try something new. It's time.

Bang on...apart from the abhor bit

 

[MadAdey]

The US Tour coverage is caused by American TV. At least with SKY they switch to the studio talk golf when the US has yet another 2 minute add break. You lot are lucky, I have to watch yet another advert for the latest Chevy hillbilly truck.

 

[MadAdey]

SKY will take open coverage to a new level IMO. They will show the OPEN from the very first tee time to the last person holing out every day. They will have extensive highlight shows through the night and will put together a 4 hour run through of the OPEN showing all the best bits, that will get shown for weeks after.

Anyone who can afford to play golf can afford SKY Sports. So if people are annoyed that they will not get to watch it then that is your choice not to have SKY Sports.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

SKY will take open coverage to a new level IMO. They will show the OPEN from the very first tee time to the last person holing out every day. They will have extensive highlight shows through the night and will put together a 4 hour run through of the OPEN showing all the best bits, that will get shown for weeks after.

Anyone who can afford to play golf can afford SKY Sports. So if people are annoyed that they will not get to watch it then that is your choice not to have SKY Sports.

Golfers will mainly already have Skysports

Believe BBC already show from the very first tee to the last shot - and do it without one single advert in between , without one visit to the shot centre , without one visit to hearing bumbling monty

But it's not just about the golfers who watch

What about the non golfers who enjoyed watching the Open or enjoyed watching the final stages or stumbled across it only for their kid to ask to watch it - what about the kids who like watching the Open but whose parents don't like sports - he can no longer go to his room to watch it on his own telly , what about the 60 year old fan who can't afford sky or doesn't have sky ?

Selling the rights to Sky reduces the amount of people who can watch golf. Not sure how reducing the viewing window can be a positive

And an example is the viewing figures for the masters is 5 times lower for Sky than it is for BBC