Quote ="Billy Batten"I have made my complaint on the BBC website - address below;
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complain-online/
Body of complaint;
Good Afternoon,
I am appalled by the way in which the draw for the 5th round of the rugby league challenge cup draw was handled today.
Richard Bacon clearly saw this as a opportunity to mock what is the premier club rugby league cup competition in the world.
He was disgraceful stating that it would be of no interest to anyone other than RL fans. He also stated that the rugby payers which stand proud on the lid of the cup which was in the studio were effeminate....
There was a mockery of the draw itself and the presenters were unable to put 2 teams together without messing this up and we were luck to end up with the required 8 matches following this without having to have a re draw.
The BBC have the rights to present the challenge cup so they should pay it the respect required and not have it take place on a 2 bit show such as Richard Bacon's, who was more bothered about the sewing item which was to follow the draw....
Would all of the above have happened for the FA cup draw... I think not.
The BBC need to take a good look at themselves regarding this issue and Bacon needs a dressing down for this. An apology from Bacon is the least that can happen.
I hope you take this complaint as seriously as I am and I look forward to hearing your reply.'"
Received this reply today;
Dear Mr
Reference CAS-2067566-HYDS50
Many thanks for getting in touch about Richard Bacon’s BBC Radio 5 Live programme on Monday 22nd April which including the live draw for the Tetley's Challenge Cup 2013 fifth round
Recognising your concerns and unhappiness about the draw, we reviewed the programme and discussed points raised by listeners with the station’s senior editorial team
The team have asked us to personally thank you for getting in touch and to assure you that BBC Radio 5 Live and sister station BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra are absolutely committed to coverage of Rugby League
They explain that thus far in 2013, the stations have broadcast some 36 hours of live coverage of the sport and that they’ve secured the rights to broadcast this year’s World Cup with an aim to offer live coverage of all 28 matches
BBC Radio 5 Live’s commitment to the sport was further demonstrated by their desire to undertake the Challenge Cup fifth round draw live on air from our Salford studios on Monday
However, the team responsible do acknowledge in light of your points that they didn’t get the tone of the draw right on air
The team have discussed this with Richard Bacon himself along with his production team and Richard acknowledges that he got the tone wrong thus he apologises to listeners as he genuinely didn’t mean to upset any Rugby League fans
Thank you again for getting in touch and allowing us to investigate your concerns with the team directly involved, and to respond.
We very much hope that you will feel reassured as to the BBC’s on-going commitment to Rugby League across BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, and that you will agree that we have taken your points on board.
Kind Regards
Marie-Therese Gibson
BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints
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