No Gps On Sky Television Next Year?

[Backless]

So, if it picks up the GPs, it already has the prime pick of the footie (what was it on Saturday? Fulham v Stoke on Sky LOL), & the cash to put a real fright up Sky, it'll be an rasy choice: two sports channels packed with entertainment, or 6 (including the F1 & Horsie racing channel) bloated out with days upon days of Australian & South African Fox / Sky Sports subsidies.

[orion]

Well on a positive note, fans may return to the terraces, on a saturday night without the option of sitting in watching the grand prix.

 

i Doubt it .

[New Science]

nigel pearson on twitter saying no concrete information yet.. said last season was the best in years and this coming season could be the best yet.. he is hardly going to say that if its definite that sky have dropped the gp's...

Could be embarrassing for Nigel and Kelvin on a Monday night if Sky have no GP highlights to show.Might be a John Cleese moment "don't mention the speedway GP,I mentioned it earlier but I think I got away with it "

[crazysue]

Well on a positive note, fans may return to the terraces, on a saturday night without the option of sitting in watching the grand prix.

 

Not here it wouldn't, no tracks within a short driving distance from here who operate on a Saturday.

[Heathcote]

The only people who will ultimately resolve this issue are the likes of Monster and the various tourist boards of Wales, Copenhagen, Torun etc etc as they will have entered into a sponsorship agreement with BSI/IMG under the proviso of some form of mainstream TV coverage in the UK during the length of their respective deals. In a smaller way some rider influence could also play a part. Sky want to show GP speedway, although they have books to balance so it has to be at the right price. If IMG are asking an astronomical amount for the rights to broadcast then Sky are perfectly within their rights to refuse to stump up the cash. They will know their viewing figures and subsequently will know how much they can charge companies for a 30 second advert during the broadcast. The more viewers then the more sky can charge to advertise. If the advertising revenue does not cover the amount IMG are asking Sky to pay then they are not going to do it, simple. It would appear then that IMG are overpricing the product they think they have, with respect to the UK.

 

If however Monster etc have entered an agreement to inject X amount of cash into the IMG bank and then suddenly are not getting the "air time" in teh UK they thought they were buying, then they are not going to be happy. Simple offer to withdraw sponsorship or reduce the funding would have IMG reconsidering the amoun they want Sky to cough up. In the same respect certain sponsors of riders may also be miffed about the lack of Sky coverage, I am sure Mr "Hagon Shocks" is probably not best pleased that his name will not be blazoned all over the World Champion on our screens every other Saturday night. Again a simple word to Chris Holder along the lines of sorry mate but I'm not getting the advertising I was hoping for therefore my funding to you for next you will have to be reduced. That then leaves the Chris considering whether he can afford the expense to compete at the top level and potentially be a high profile absentee from the IMG circus for 2014.

 

As for those stating they will cancel Sky if no GP, that will ultimately be to the detriment of the sport. According to figures on this site, it costs Sky approx 50k to cover a meeting. At approx 30 meetings per year that's 1.5 million pound. They will already know the viewing figures and hence therefore the amount they can charge prospective advertisers. So start reducing the number of personnel subscribed to sky will ultimately lower the viewing figures meaning advertisers will be less likely to pay for their 30 second slot at their current rate and the amount that Sky bring in will be reduced. At some stage they will not cover their 1.5 million outlay and will ditch speedway from their schedules, then you can say RIP speedway. Fans matter not one bit, economics and media advertising is all that counts in today's world.

 

(I have no connection or knowledge about Chris Holder or Hagon Shocks, I just used them as an example and no detriment to their relationship was intended)

 

I should have added, I personally think Sky TV will continue to operate perfectly well without Speedway GP being broadcast on its platform

 

I am not 100% certain that Speedway GP can continue to operate, long term, without Sky TV

[oldace]

I think what Dudleywood 4eva is getting at is that SKY have not officially announced, one way or the other, whether or not they will be covering the GPs on their Channels. Flagrag states in an earlier Post, as shown above that there is still some doubt as to which way the decision will go. Either BSI or SKY should say something in my opinion - WE are their Customers after all.

 

We must wait and see I suppose.

 

What is it that people are struggling to grasp. The contract to cover the GPs expired at the end of last season, that has been known for months. That being the case, as far as SKY are concerned, consigns speedway to one of many hundred sports and competitions which they dont cover. Thats quite simple, no need for statements reiterating that position weekly. Of course should a deal be concluded and the GPs once again be in SKYs schedule both BSI and SKY will make an announcement to that effect.

 

It really is that simple folks, no need for the daily e mails to SKY or BSI. It simply makes the senders seem to be a bunch of half wits

[Humphrey Appleby]

If IMG are asking an astronomical amount for the rights to broadcast then Sky are perfectly within their rights to refuse to stump up the cash.

 

It can't be an astronomical amount because BSI only record a UK revenue of around 4 million (out of about 10 million in total), and significant proportion of that will be attributable to the British GP and the Welsh Tourist Board.

 

My guess would be that Sky were paying something in the order of GBP 1.5 - 2 million per year for the television rights, which shows low speedway falls in the currency stakes.

 

If however Monster etc have entered an agreement to inject X amount of cash into the IMG bank and then suddenly are not getting the "air time" in teh UK they thought they were buying, then they are not going to be happy.

 

There has been no mention of any sponsorship figures for Monster, so they may not actually be paying very much. Could be goods in kind to have a recognisable name associated with the SGP and raise its profile.

[Pirates Of Poole]

I have just had a reply from sky saying yes the current deal has ended. Also said negotiations with sporting bodies cannot be advertised and once they have concluded talks we will all be made aware. Also confirmed there has been a very high amount of questions coming through on this subject!

So basically they are all still talking.

[Eglese 19]

Hopefully something gets sorted, Sky won't make any statement if it doesn't though, as has been said it's now just one of many sports they don't cover

[Hunty]

I have just had a reply from sky saying yes the current deal has ended. Also said negotiations with sporting bodies cannot be advertised and once they have concluded talks we will all be made aware. Also confirmed there has been a very high amount of questions coming through on this subject!

So basically they are all still talking.

 

Fingers crossed that they are shown on TV somewhere, I belive a channel on freeview would be more benifical to the sport! If ITV can get it on ITV 4 but advertise it all over ITV 1 and 2 whilst Corrie is on then it may get it more noticed and more people may visit there local track!

 

Another intresting point is that the BBC last year did a radio comentry of the Elite League play off final on 5live sports extra? Could the Beeb be preparing for a bid at speedway, they are hoping to get sports back on there listings but more obscure sports I belive?

 

Lots of options but i think we should aviod sky, they will leave us in a right pickle if they drop the Elite League next year aswell!

[oldace]

Fingers crossed that they are shown on TV somewhere, I belive a channel on freeview would be more benifical to the sport! If ITV can get it on ITV 4 but advertise it all over ITV 1 and 2 whilst Corrie is on then it may get it more noticed and more people may visit there local track!

 

Another intresting point is that the BBC last year did a radio comentry of the Elite League play off final on 5live sports extra? Could the Beeb be preparing for a bid at speedway, they are hoping to get sports back on there listings but more obscure sports I belive?

 

Lots of options but i think we should aviod sky, they will leave us in a right pickle if they drop the Elite League next year aswell!

 

All total fantasy, the work of someone refusing to accept where speedway is in the sporting public's perception.

 

You, and many others, seem to think it is simply a lack of awareness as to why no one goes anymore! Anyone with a modicum of marketing nouse could fill a stadium once, even if its the free admission route it showcases your product to thousands. Lakeside did id a few years back and had a reputed 5000 gate on the night. Point is how many of those 5000 liked what they saw enough to be willing to pay to come back the following, and subsequent weeks? Well Lakeside are back to racing in front of one man and his dog so it would appear not many. Worse still is that those 4000 will never ever come back now, they are lost to the sport for ever.

 

Quite simply never ever market a flawed product, you get one chance with a potential customer, blow it and they are lost forever

[Hunty]

All total fantasy, the work of someone refusing to accept where speedway is in the sporting public's perception.

 

You, and many others, seem to think it is simply a lack of awareness as to why no one goes anymore! Anyone with a modicum of marketing nouse could fill a stadium once, even if its the free admission route it showcases your product to thousands. Lakeside did id a few years back and had a reputed 5000 gate on the night. Point is how many of those 5000 liked what they saw enough to be willing to pay to come back the following, and subsequent weeks? Well Lakeside are back to racing in front of one man and his dog so it would appear not many. Worse still is that those 4000 will never ever come back now, they are lost to the sport for ever.

 

Quite simply never ever market a flawed product, you get one chance with a potential customer, blow it and they are lost forever

 

Totally underdstand but the amount of times I have said im off to watch speedway tonight and the person who I have said it to reply with 'Whats That, or is that motorcross' they dont even know what Speedway is?

 

Thats the problem, nobodies know and if nobody knows....nobody comes.

 

Once they do come, yes your right then its time to showcase the product and make people want to come back!

 

So there is two aspects, getting the sport known and getting people to come back!

[DizzAssStar]

I have just had a reply from sky saying yes the current deal has ended. Also said negotiations with sporting bodies cannot be advertised and once they have concluded talks we will all be made aware. Also confirmed there has been a very high amount of questions coming through on this subject!

So basically they are all still talking.

 

Well done........ Its nice to see that some folk care enough to exert what little pressure they are able to.............. unlike the "half wit" at the top of this page who clearly believes that you should sit back and wait until the GPs disappear from our screens (and then presumably moan about it!!!).

[oldace]

Totally underdstand but the amount of times I have said im off to watch speedway tonight and the person who I have said it to reply with 'Whats That, or is that motorcross' they dont even know what Speedway is?

 

Thats the problem, nobodies know and if nobody knows....nobody comes.

 

Once they do come, yes your right then its time to showcase the product and make people want to come back!

 

So there is two aspects, getting the sport known and getting people to come back!

 

So go back a few years when gates were 3 times (or more) than now. Did those people simply develop amnesia over winter and forget what they used to do on a Monday/ Wed/ Thursday etc night

 

Well done........ Its nice to see that some folk care enough to exert what little pressure they are able to.............. unlike the "half wit" at the top of this page who clearly believes that you should sit back and wait until the GPs disappear from our screens (and then presumably moan about it!!!).

 

FFS What a wally

[Hunty]

So go back a few years when gates were 3 times (or more) than now. Did those people simply develop amnesia over winter and forget what they used to do on a Monday/ Wed/ Thursday etc night

 

 

Those kind of gates happened years ago...Im just giving ideas and I attend my clubs meetings and forums to try and put across ideas to them to try and help improve.

 

Your reply of 'All Total Fantasy' is just you basically saying, we have tryed everything and there not coming back!

 

You have got to think forward not dwell on the past!

[pandorum]

Fingers crossed that they are shown on TV somewhere, I belive a channel on freeview would be more benifical to the sport! If ITV can get it on ITV 4 but advertise it all over ITV 1 and 2 whilst Corrie is on then it may get it more noticed and more people may visit there local track!

 

Another intresting point is that the BBC last year did a radio comentry of the Elite League play off final on 5live sports extra? Could the Beeb be preparing for a bid at speedway, they are hoping to get sports back on there listings but more obscure sports I belive?

 

Lots of options but i think we should aviod sky, they will leave us in a right pickle if they drop the Elite League next year aswell!

 

There is absolutely zero chance that BBC or ITV will be bidding to show LIVE speedway either EL or GP. The simple cost of actually providing the league coverage or a Cardiff one off should tell anyone with even less than Wayne Rooneys IQ that.

Let alone it's a minor sport even among minor sports, completely unknown to the VAST majority of viewers and susceptible to bad weather.

Factor in advertising revenue from prime time TV slots and you get an equation that adds up to no fecking chance any major TV company is going to give a micky mouse sport like ours a prime slot on a Saturday night let alone a live prime slot that furnishes only a few thousand viewers.

Even a highlights show or a one off Cardiff GP would involve a hefty outlay.

The whole idea is too daft to even laugh at.

Edited February 26, 2013 by pandorum

[PHILIPRISING]

I HAVE progressed from optimistic to mildly confident that the 2013 SGP series will be available to UK TV viewers...

[Daniel Smith]

I HAVE progressed from optimistic to mildly confident that the 2013 SGP series will be available to UK TV viewers...

 

because????????

 

Don't keep us hanging Phil, or is this a speedway star exclusive story?????

[screm]

Well on a positive note, fans may return to the terraces, on a saturday night without the option of sitting in watching the grand prix.

 

You think,over the last few seasons Ive went to Berwick and recorded the GPs.I normally avoid the scores and watch it late saturday night or first thing sunday morning,if the only GP coverage live will be through a link on here then theres a decent chance I`ll do that,and give Berwick a miss.

Ive got Sky Im not likely to take out any extra subscriptions for ESPN or Premier Sports etc,Ive spoken to a couple of people who have already said they wont be going to Shielfield on a GP night for much the same reasons.

[PHILIPRISING]

because????????

 

Don't keep us hanging Phil, or is this a speedway star exclusive story?????

 

CANNOT say more right now. Contracts not yet signed and all that but although the Sky door is now bolted, at least for the forseeable future, plan b is taking shape.