The Open on Sky - It's official

[Imurg]

Well like everything you can't please everyone and as such whilst there may be some casualties, something has to change in an attempt to get the game of golf out there more because by leaving it where it is it will surely die of a slow death with the BBC because they wouldn't improve their coverage or invest in it any more than they were, so for me, the change is a positive one and I'm confident that after a few years of watching it more on Sky, many will wonder what all the fuss was about.

And how does restricting the number of viewers "get golf out there more"..?

 

[Tongo]

Well like everything you can't please everyone and as such whilst there may be some casualties, something has to change in an attempt to get the game of golf out there more because by leaving it where it is it will surely die of a slow death with the BBC because they wouldn't improve their coverage or invest in it any more than they were, so for me, the change is a positive one and I'm confident that after a few years of watching it more on Sky, many will wonder what all the fuss was about.

Golf's falling participation levels go way beyond the beeb and their lack of quality in coverage, as has been discussed in other threads.

And the improved Sky coverage hasnt exactly worked for participation in cricket either.

 

[USER1999]

And how does restricting the number of viewers "get golf out there more"..?

But that's my point, it might in other countries, just not ours!

 

[Imurg]

But that's my point, it might in other countries, just not ours!

In which case, a few million spread over the globe means about 20p per National Union.....
On R5 yesterday they had a slot about this, MikeH was on.
The Guy from England Golf was almost gloating that they had spent a million or so on encouraging new players to the game....how far does a million go?
OK its better than nowt but the numbers need to be far higher.

For me, the only reason Sky are in this is to make more profit. Monopolise Golf coverage so more people will have to subscribe to Sky in order to watch. I doubt, in reality, that Sky really care much about where their extra millions go. They're only interested in the bottom line of their balance sheet.

 

[Fish]

And how does restricting the number of viewers "get golf out there more"..?

Because as has been said previously, kids don't sit watching terrestrial TV, there watching and picking up on things on various different platforms, are they being measured or being factored into any figures released? Not everything in marketing is about and based on machine gun sales, I think that even if it did become a smaller audience on Sky, there is nothing to say that the conversation rate to people taking the sport up could be higher, if the quality of coverage and overall quality in how its presented is much better than what the BBC have done for years, then that in itself could appeal to more people, so the figures alone for me being an argument are a red herring, quality not quantity can be far more successful and bring in a better return.

The bottom line is, the BBC didn't take on board what the R&A wanted and wouldn't invest any more into it and as such are happy to let the golf go, its time for change, that big horrible dirty word for some, so we have to give it a chance.

 

[Tongo]

Well like everything you can't please everyone and as such whilst there may be some casualties, something has to change in an attempt to get the game of golf out there more because by leaving it where it is it will surely die of a slow death with the BBC because they wouldn't improve their coverage or invest in it any more than they were, so for me, the change is a positive one and I'm confident that after a few years of watching it more on Sky, many will wonder what all the fuss was about.

Just out of interest, what bells and whistles can Sky put on that will make people watch and think: "yeah, i'm gonna take up this game?" Its still a 4 day tournament that isnt particularly fast moving, regardless of what trinkets are attached to it. Chucking in a few ball tracker graphics is unlikely to turn people from thinking the game is boring into thinking its fantastic. The perception of the game in this country is too ingrained in peoples minds.

 

[Fish]

Just out of interest, what bells and whistles can Sky put on that will make people watch and think: "yeah, i'm gonna take up this game?" Its still a 4 day tournament that isnt particularly fast moving, regardless of what trinkets are attached to it. Chucking in a few ball tracker graphics is unlikely to turn people from thinking the game is boring into thinking its fantastic. The perception of the game in this country is too ingrained in peoples minds.

I think overall it will have a fresher feel to it and will be more attractive to the younger viewer, hopefully. I think they will have an excellent build up leading to it, they will look back over the past in detail, decent interviews and even have some fun coverage, all this is beyond the BBC's mentality IMO and as such is why I believe the BBC has a stuffiness stigma still attached to it in some quarters, just like we see in some golf clubs but times are changing for the better in some (clubs) and so our coverage with a fresher cleaner look that makes it attractive for younger people to look into giving it a go has to be a good thing rather than it being covered and marketed by the old brigade with antiquated views and opinions, which as you say, is ingrained in our minds, so change has to happen and with the TV being a powerful tool, I think we have to give this a real chance and stop hanging on to the umbilical cord.

 

[Tongo]

I think overall it will have a fresher feel to it and will be more attractive to the younger viewer, hopefully. I think they will have an excellent build up leading to it, they will look back over the past in detail, decent interviews and even have some fun coverage, all this is beyond the BBC's mentality IMO and as such is why I believe the BBC has a stuffiness stigma still attached to it in some quarters, just like we see in some golf clubs but times are changing for the better in some (clubs) and so our coverage with a fresher cleaner look that makes it attractive for younger people to look into giving it a go has to be a good thing rather than it being covered and marketed by the old brigade with antiquated views and opinions, which as you say, is ingrained in our minds, so change has to happen and with the TV being a powerful tool, I think we have to give this a real chance and stop hanging on to the umbilical cord.

None of which addresses two of the main reasons why golf participation is falling: it’s anexpensive game to play and it takes a long time to play, as per Rory Mac’s comments a few weeks ago. Sky’s coverage isn’t going to change either of thoseso they may improve coverage in some areas but the game as a whole will not beimproved just because Sky have taken over. (Other than possibly improving theprize money on offer)

 

[Hacker Khan]

I think overall it will have a fresher feel to it and will be more attractive to the younger viewer, hopefully. I think they will have an excellent build up leading to it, they will look back over the past in detail, decent interviews and even have some fun coverage, all this is beyond the BBC's mentality IMO and as such is why I believe the BBC has a stuffiness stigma still attached to it in some quarters, just like we see in some golf clubs but times are changing for the better in some (clubs) and so our coverage with a fresher cleaner look that makes it attractive for younger people to look into giving it a go has to be a good thing rather than it being covered and marketed by the old brigade with antiquated views and opinions, which as you say, is ingrained in our minds, so change has to happen and with the TV being a powerful tool, I think we have to give this a real chance and stop hanging on to the umbilical cord.

I have no doubt there will be more bells, whistles and endless buildup like they do for the Ryder Cup. But at the end of the day the golf itself is still 4 day stroke play which is ever so slightly boring as a spectator sport to the non golf nut. I am more on the side of it being on the BBC with their limitations but with a wider reach than on Sky with better production values but a limited and probably more committed audience.

But having said that if Sky manage to persuade the R&A to dump the 'Last of the Summer Wine death by rambling speech' presentation ceremony and replace it with something not out of the 1920s I will take it all back and say Sky are fantastic

 

[colint]

Compare what Sky has done for cycling, one of the other sports it's heavily invested in, with what the BBC does for golf.

Sky organise "Sky Rides" all over the UK. These are free to enter, closed roads cycling events designed to encourage people to get into cycling. There are freebies / giveaways, appearances from top riders, equipment checks, advice etc. It's obviously self promotion and designed to get people following a sport they've invested in, but it's had a huge impact on the number of people taking up the sport. Over 250,000 people took part in one of these events in 2012, even if 10% of these people were new to the sport that's a huge number being introduced to cycling.

Will we see Sky Golf events ? I think we might. Take over a venue, encourage families to attend, some local pro's in attendance to give advice etc. When Sky go for something they go all out.

What have / do the BBC do for golf ? They show one event with the same presenters, same format, same misty eyed 5 minute collage on the final day. Outside of that what do they do ? I've seen lots of BBC events around the country for other things, never anything for golf.

I'm not overly happy about having to pay to watch golf. I've just cancelled my Sky Sports subscription because golf is the only sport I watch (other than rugby on BT) and I'm already missing it and thinking of rejoining. The sport needs something to get people involved, I'd rather Sky put their weight behind it than rely on something which has been failing for years to suddenly come good

 

[Tongo]

Compare what Sky has done for cycling, one of the other sports it's heavily invested in, with what the BBC does for golf.

Sky organise "Sky Rides" all over the UK. These are free to enter, closed roads cycling events designed to encourage people to get into cycling. There are freebies / giveaways, appearances from top riders, equipment checks, advice etc. It's obviously self promotion and designed to get people following a sport they've invested in, but it's had a huge impact on the number of people taking up the sport. Over 250,000 people took part in one of these events in 2012, even if 10% of these people were new to the sport that's a huge number being introduced to cycling.

Will we see Sky Golf events ? I think we might. Take over a venue, encourage families to attend, some local pro's in attendance to give advice etc. When Sky go for something they go all out.

What have / do the BBC do for golf ? They show one event with the same presenters, same format, same misty eyed 5 minute collage on the final day. Outside of that what do they do ? I've seen lots of BBC events around the country for other things, never anything for golf.

I'm not overly happy about having to pay to watch golf. I've just cancelled my Sky Sports subscription because golf is the only sport I watch (other than rugby on BT) and I'm already missing it and thinking of rejoining. The sport needs something to get people involved, I'd rather Sky put their weight behind it than rely on something which has been failing for years to suddenly come good

Sky already cover theEuropean Tour and 3 of the majors so its not like this is a new venture as itwas with Cycling. What has stopped them doing similar things to what they havedone with cycling? And how much of Sky’s Cycling extras are because theysponsor a pro tour team? I would suggest that there isn’t the same vestedinterest with the golf.

As for the beeb, they aren’ta sports channel, as has been pointed out, and are publicly funded so they don’thave the flexibility that Sky has when it comes to all the add on’s.

 

[colint]

Sky already cover theEuropean Tour and 3 of the majors so its not like this is a new venture as itwas with Cycling. What has stopped them doing similar things to what they havedone with cycling? And how much of Sky’s Cycling extras are because theysponsor a pro tour team? I would suggest that there isn’t the same vestedinterest with the golf.

As for the beeb, they aren’ta sports channel, as has been pointed out, and are publicly funded so they don’thave the flexibility that Sky has when it comes to all the add on’s.

Perhaps because they'll be covering the major UK event they'll step things up a bit, I agree them sponsoring the pro team has a lot to do with the cycling events. There's a chance they'll do something though, there's no chance the BBC will ever do anything other than the minimum because they've got other priorities, mainly baking and pro-am dancing.

Things might not change, but I don't agree that the BBC losing the Open is somehow the death knell for progress with golf participation.

 

[Tongo]

Perhaps because they'll be covering the major UK event they'll step things up a bit, I agree them sponsoring the pro team has a lot to do with the cycling events. There's a chance they'll do something though, there's no chance the BBC will ever do anything other than the minimum because they've got other priorities, mainly baking and pro-am dancing.

Things might not change, but I don't agree that the BBC losing the Open is somehow the death knell for progress with golf participation.

Sky dont do the same for every sport they cover though. Just cycling, which is hip and trendy at the moment cos Britain is successful and has people like Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins who can be used as poster boys.

 

[ger147]

I can't believe Nostradamus didn't mention this, careless...

 

[Dan2501]

[video=youtube;bdn61SDw5hI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdn61SDw5hI[/video]

Peter Finch gives his thoughts. Not a happy Finchy.

 

[colint]

Sky dont do the same for every sport they cover though. Just cycling, which is hip and trendy at the moment cos Britain is successful and has people like Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins who can be used as poster boys.

We're not exactly short of home grown golfing stars either ?

 

[Tongo]

We're not exactly short of home grown golfing stars either ?

Not quite in the same league as Bradley Wiggins or Chris Hoy though are they? In terms of media profile.

 

[USER1999]

Not quite in the same league as Bradley Wiggins or Chris Hoy though are they? In terms of media profile.

You mean sir Bradley Wiggins, and sir Chris Hoy?

 

[ger147]

Not quite in the same league as Bradley Wiggins or Chris Hoy though are they? In terms of media profile.

I reckon Rory would cause more of a stir that Bradley or Chris pretty much everywhere in the world IMHO.

 

[Tongo]

You mean sir Bradley Wiggins, and sir Chris Hoy?

Quite. And the whole Lewis Hamilton beating Rory at the SPOTY demonstrates that success from a UK player is no guarantee of capturing the public's imagination.