During this past week it was announced that Channel 4 had bought the rights for all horse-racing in the UK, including the Grand National and The Derby which previously have been mainstays of the BBC’s coverage. The BBC claimed that the corporation had put the highest sum it could realistically offer in order to maintain their ability to possess the rights, but evidently this was not enough. What is probably more concerning to the general public though is that this is not a first-time event in recent memory. The FA Cup, England internationals, World Athletics Championships and F1 have all been part of the BBC package and subsequently landed on other channels. As I believe it is arguably fair to say that Britain is a keen sporting nation, one that takes a strong interest in the world of sport, I think questions will soon be getting directed to the corporation as to why they are not covering a greater level of sport. This is based on the fact that each household has to pay for their TV licence which entitles them to receive a broad and varied coverage of television.
Now the BBC may argue that they still do hold some key sporting events, but the Olympics only come about every four years and major international football tournaments are bi-annual. The only other major sporting events they cover live are some of the golf majors along with rugby union and league. Now if you don’t have an interest in rugby or golf, you therefore become pretty short-changed! Even when it comes to rugby, the BBC do not hold the rights to the World Cup, which again, like most sports, is the pinnacle event for any of the athletes involved. Despite still holding the rights for the two biggest mega-events in the sporting calendar, I would argue this is because of the British law that states these must be accessible on terrestrial television. The moment the pressure amounts to the point where this law is relaxed, will be the time when I anticipate the BBC to hold practically hold no live sporting events in their repertoire. With the digital switchover now complete nationwide, this opportunity may arise much sooner solely based on the fact the term terrestrial is now defunct.
Going back to the Beeb’s failure to retain live sport, I think what concerns many is that it is not just the big power-brokers that is Sky who are obtaining all of these rights. Both ITV and Channel 4 have snatched some of the events from the BBC. Now, admittedly they probably can generate more revenue through their advertising opportunities, however, they can only charge businesses large sums if they have big events to broadcast. It is a risky chicken and egg situation, but currently the other original terrestrial channels are winning in that respect. Yet the commercial breaks are the biggest and most infuriating aspect for those who are sat down watching it unfold, despite obviously being the reason why the sport is on in the first place. Thankfully, we have yet to reach the stage of adverts during game time for sports such as football, but you do worry, with the number of commercial breaks that are taken in the lead up to games nowadays, how much longer this will last. What is for sure though, is that there will be a major outcry when it does. This is why the BBC is always a favoured option by the masses; uninterrupted coverage is the best way of getting a feel of the event as well as obtaining more knowledge and information from the various outlets that you hear from. However, if the corporation cannot even compete with the likes of ITV and Channel 4, how are they going to get anywhere near Sky when they start pressurising to have hold of the Olympics and World Cup?
I think my major concern surrounding this topic is the accessibility the general public have to watch live sporting events. You may argue that people can just go to the games themselves, but unfortunately location, time, money, demand exceeding supply, amongst other things can prevent that from occurring. Live television is therefore the next best alternative, and therefore a necessity for all the major sporting events. Already the switchover to digital has impacted on some people, I would suggest the elderly who are accustomed to not needing a gazillion pointless channels. So how much longer will it be, until we are all forced to pay an annual subscription to receive Sky as all the channels are swallowed up into the BSkyB chain? Or alternatively, the option is still there as to whether you buy into Sky or not, but you will be deprived of the major sporting events if you do so. It is a scary thought and indicative of the power and money that money is having on influencing our sporting experience of the elite level. However, in my opinion, the BBC needs to relook at their strategy and budgetary constraints regarding live sporting events as currently they are disappointing many licence payers. Let us hope that the disgruntled nature that is beginning to increase reaches the big-wigs and that changes are afoot. Public opinion would soon return once the National, Cup Final and England internationals return to the Beeb. Just a hint chaps...
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