bbc cutting 15 % from their sports rights budget,could this spell the end for the relationship between the challenge cup and the beep and would it be a good thing or a bad thing for the game

bbc still has the challenge cup for the foreseeable future

when is the contract up for renewal ? and at that time do you think the bbc would consider dropping the event and focus on more profitable events

If we lost what little national coverage we have on the bbc, it could be nothing but bad news for the game. Despite how awfull their coverage can be. It's all we have on free to air TV for neutrals and potential new fans to see the game.

well it was renewed earlier this year.

and no i don't think they would, they don't have much left tbh

Hmmm. Not so sure. Far as I'm aware their is no deal in place for the cup next year so far. I did hear the BBC wanted to reduce its coverage to 1 match per round with possibly another broadcaster taking the second match but who knows.

I'm sure the BBC could shave 15% from their costs without shedding any of their sports portfolio.

Fewer pundits would save a few quid, and every time they develop a new set of titles or graphics, they spend money, so money can be saved by simply using last year's.

A non-story, in my opinion.

I wouldnt be suprised if the Formula 1 coverage bares the brunt of the cost cutting measures, Surely if any more money where to be stripped out of the RL coverage then you might as well use a camcorder and a few loyal spectators as commentators.

For what its worth the superleague show should be canned as showing it at 3am in the morning nationally is a joke

I'm sure I read that cuts would mean an end to radio commentary from outside the region. If that is true then rugby league wouldn't be as badly affected as other sports because there's a game played in the Radio Manchester area every weekend. Itd be similar in Yorkshire with maybe only Cumbria and Hull having commentaryless weekends.

they could always stop the annoying dwarf from doing his silly sports on a saturday morning

The flip side though is that the woman doing sign language at that time made more sense than Gary Schofield.

True, but do you want to listen to that thin tanya bird with the really deep voice at 3am in the morning ?

P.S. i dont want to know your fantasies

As a cyclist the coverage of cycling on ITV4 has been really good this year. I'd be more than happy to have a similar level of coverage on one of the 'lesser' channels.

Their coverage of the BTCC is extremely good

They're not supposed to be profiting from it they're supposed to be providing a public service plus we are on that free list so either BBC itv1 channel 4 or 5 must show the challenge cup.

isnt the Challenge Cup final a "protected " event that has to be kept on terrestial TV?

cant see beeb dropping it tbh

I think it's only the final that's protected, the earlier rounds are up for grabs, when the present deal runs out.

I asked Mr Hemmings about Sky's interest in getting the rights, and he told me they weren't interested.

Can't see C4 doing anything, they're only really interested in horse racing, and they've been scaling that down in the last couple of years.

So that just leaves ITV4 and C5....can't see those two biddfing for it, myself

I'd love ITV4 to take over RL's free-to-air coverage.

Cycling coverage on Eurosport is fantastic, experts that keep you interested in an event that can last hours per day, yet we struggle to get anyone competent enough to talk for 2hrs max.

Chris Warren and Tony Rea offered a better approach when used by SKY, Warren seems to be a bit part player on the 9 network I would welcome him back.

All the sports I watch have better weekly review sections the RU is better even if you hate the sport have a look at their roundup it is better than boots n all, my favourite at the moment is ringside that has drawn me back to watching boxing

It's FOX that Chris Warren works for. He presents on their version of Sky Sports News.

i did say FINAL


see your point tho.....but tbh i wouldnt mind letting ch4 have a crack.....they did a brilliant job with cricket after getting it from the beeb..before Sky in turn nicked it

good for you