Conspiracy Theory (sky Meetings)

[Backless]

Anyone know when there will be an announcement made about Television Coverage of League Speedway next year? :unsure:

 

About a week before coverage begins (if there is any). No one thaws days is going to produce a cheque book and say "how much would you like?" So it'll probably go to the last minute - or later - before anyone agrees anything.

 

Sky agreed NFL coverage a couple of days before the first match & agreed NBA coverage a couple of months after the first match.

 

For the sake of a couple of million including coverage costs, there'll be no mad rush from Sky.

The relatively paltry sum might just entice say BT Sport, but it'll probably turn into a freebie, where the TV company broadcasts but doesn't pay a fee..

 

With the track record of GoSpeed for pulling in lucrative sponsorships, the eventual outcome of that one seems pretty much assured.

[Steve Irving]

Wouldn't argue with that. Showing Scunthorpe and Somerset all the time is akin to gping to Lynn every week. Why not show Ipswich, Glasgow and Rye House? 3 tracks that get a slating

I'm not sure Ipswich does get a slating these days. They used to before they widened it, but chances are if they showed a meeting from Ipswich we'd probably see a decent meeting.

 

I've been there watching Redcar the last couple of seasons and seen an absolute cracker both times.

[flagrag]

The viewing figures this year have been ok with Premier league racing more than holding its own and there will be more meetings during the season. What has been very good to see is how many people who are watching Speedway via Sky's on demand service with regular downloads of over 10,000 requests in the week it is on there.

 

As others have said the bspa need to decide what product they have to offer and what they can do to provide value for money on a tv deal.

 

I know I am not impartial but I thought the coverage and production of the Somerset match was very good and that the Batcam showed what it could with the right light levels and shots being used.

[PHILIPRISING]

AGREE with most of your last sentence flagrag although not sure Sky do themselves any favours with their choice of co-commentator at Premier League meetings, plus of course some woeful pit interviews. Just a personal view of course...

[salty]

Interesting topic. I echo Flagrag's comments about the new Greyhound coverage on Sky this year. Whilst I am delighted to see the dogs on the telly, the difference in quality between the productions (compared to last years Sky coverage) is marked. I can't see Speedway having the resources to produce their own televised product to sell to the TV companies and I reckon the sport will be hoping that Sky are feeling benevolent when contract time comes around.

[Grand Central]

AGREE with most of your last sentence flagrag although not sure Sky do themselves any favours with their choice of co-commentator at Premier League meetings, plus of course some woeful pit interviews. Just a personal view of course...

 

Yes, I find Sky's priorities quite mind boggling.

 

They can happily spend sums of £40,000 or more to produce the Live match; most of which is no doubt essential to get the pictures on our screens, but which is difficult for us to directly appreciate.

And then they foul up on the tuppeny-ha'penny expense of the numpties they put on screen. That is, the bit we do actually see.

 

It could not cost much more to get a decent pit interviewer, could it?

And surely Rossitter is only paid his petrol and in (copious) chip butties, by the look of him.

Edited June 12, 2013 by Grand Central

[SGP]

FROM the discussions I've been told about in recent weeks, BT Sport are very interested in domestic Speedway. It's an interesting time, and a sensitive one for all involved. There is a potential change to the league structure if what's been said is true. Add to that SKY still remain interested in Speedway providing the BSPA can determine what their product is. There is no doubt SKY is the preferred choice, however, SKY and the BSPA know that there is an option now which hasn't been there before - BT Sport.

 

My own view is that providing BSPA conclude what they wish to offer, then SKY will be signing another deal sooner rather than later.

[Gearhead]

The Premier clubs will have nothing to do with the Elite League if they know what's good for them,if it was nearly financial suicide in 1995 it may well be even worse now

[PHILIPRISING]

SGP ... hearing much the same as you.

 

Lots of merger talk regarding the EL and PL doing the rounds at Tuesday's General Council, especially if it helps to secure a TV deal. One thing is for sure... EL cannot carry on as it is, most if not all tracks haemorrhaging financially.

 

Talk is that the big earners and highest averaged riders will have to be sacrificed but where would that leave someone like Tai Woffinden. Would he be effectively barred from racing in his own country?

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

I can see a situation where Sky underwrite the production costs - it would stiil be a relatively cheap filler for their summer schedule - but offer nothing over and above that.

 

I dont think Sky are that bothered whether its Elite,Premier or whatever.

 

It would then be down to BSPA to generate some proper sponsorship cash to bridge the gap or teams would have to cut their cloth accordingly.

[ch958]

SGP ... hearing much the same as you.

 

Lots of merger talk regarding the EL and PL doing the rounds at Tuesday's General Council, especially if it helps to secure a TV deal. One thing is for sure... EL cannot carry on as it is, most if not all tracks haemorrhaging financially.

 

Talk is that the big earners and highest averaged riders will have to be sacrificed but where would that leave someone like Tai Woffinden. Would he be effectively barred from racing in his own country?

 

no not barred just riding for an affordable wage

if he can make more elsewhere - bye bye

[PHILIPRISING]

PROBLEM not so much his wages but his ability... easy pickings in a combined league

[AndyJ]

Very unexpected news SGP and I can only hope that your sources are solid!

[Mike.Butler]

I think I read that Tai will be 'going home' to Australia when he finishes riding....

But that shouldn't be a bar...British and Colonial riders only in new league please..and only those who sign up to all UK fixtures. Applying that rule means we will be left with what we are left with; but no British promoters paying for flights, and no machines to maintain in other countries should immediately bring the cost of our admission down a quid or two..

If Scotty wants to ride in continental meets then he will have to sit out the UK.

The sooner we get riders having home meetings EVERY week from april-september in the UK the better...guarantee them 60 meetings a year and hopefully the choice for some will be easier..

It's a vicious circle at the moment..less meets because of rider availability means it's more likely they will need foreign leagues...Address point 1 and bingo point 2 disappears.

If any promoter thinks they can run 14 meetings a season then i'm sorry they are not guaranteeing british based riders a chance to make a living..so there should be no place in the short term for those tracks (except at NL level). If and when the upturn comes then they will be welcome back on the above terms. NO FULL SEASON, NO ENTRY!

Edited June 13, 2013 by Mike.Butler

[Shale Shaker]

One wonders that if a deal done with Sky on a merged EL / PL leauge would including financing of the Air Fences which will be mandatory for all clubs next year.

 

Or maybe this requirement is already pre-empting the merger of the leagues.

[Humphrey Appleby]

Lots of merger talk regarding the EL and PL doing the rounds at Tuesday's General Council, especially if it helps to secure a TV deal. One thing is for sure... EL cannot carry on as it is, most if not all tracks haemorrhaging financially.

 

Long overdue, but undoubtedly motivated by what will happen if the Sky largesse stops (as appears quite possible). Can't really see one big league being viable though - more like two equally sized leagues pitched somewhere slightly above and slightly below current BPL standard.

 

Talk is that the big earners and highest averaged riders will have to be sacrificed but where would that leave someone like Tai Woffinden. Would he be effectively barred from racing in his own country?

 

A business can only pay its employees what it can afford, and whilst you can speculate to accumulate in the short term, the experience of the past 20-25 years is that the 'top stars' simply aren't pulling the crowds and justifying their earnings. The sport simply won't survive if it continues to haemorrhage money, so sadly some tough decisions need to be made.

 

Personally, I always thought cheaper admission, a regular and more varied fixture list, and rider continuity from week-to-week would be a far better strategy for speedway than splurging money the sport doesn't have on teams of itinerant journeymen.

[Conkers in Gravy]

It was interesting to hear Tatum, Louis and Pearson last night talking up the Premier League meetings and admitting the EL matches had been pretty dull so far this season (not the exact words, but the sentiment was clear). Maybe we're being softened up for PL-only (or combined league) racing on Sky next season. On this season's evidence it's hard to argue that wouldn't be a good thing.

[The White Knight]

It was interesting to hear Tatum, Louis and Pearson last night talking up the Premier League meetings and admitting the EL matches had been pretty dull so far this season (not the exact words, but the sentiment was clear). Maybe we're being softened up for PL-only (or combined league) racing on Sky next season. On this season's evidence it's hard to argue that wouldn't be a good thing.

 

Let's hope so. :approve:

[Conkers in Gravy]

 

 

Long overdue, but undoubtedly motivated by what will happen if the Sky largesse stops (as appears quite possible). Can't really see one big league being viable though - more like two equally sized leagues pitched somewhere slightly above and slightly below current BPL standard.

 

 

 

 

A business can only pay its employees what it can afford, and whilst you can speculate to accumulate in the short term, the experience of the past 20-25 years is that the 'top stars' simply aren't pulling the crowds and justifying their earnings. The sport simply won't survive if it continues to haemorrhage money, so sadly some tough decisions need to be made.

 

Personally, I always thought cheaper admission, a regular and more varied fixture list, and rider continuity from week-to-week would be a far better strategy for speedway than splurging money the sport doesn't have on teams of itinerant journeymen.

 

Is there an opportunity for genuine promotion and relegation with two leagues of similar standard?

[SCB]

The viewing figures this year have been ok with Premier league racing more than holding its own and there will be more meetings during the season. What has been very good to see is how many people who are watching Speedway via Sky's on demand service with regular downloads of over 10,000 requests in the week it is on there.

 

As others have said the bspa need to decide what product they have to offer and what they can do to provide value for money on a tv deal.

Surely if Pl is holding it's won with the EL on Sky then the format next season is moot. The people just want speedway. I doubt if many people watcuing care where the teams are int he league, who they are, what riders it is as long as they see a good race. Most of the people wathcing Tuesday had probably not heard of Fricke, Neilsen and Tabaka but I bet they enjoyed the races they were in.

 

 

Lots of merger talk regarding the EL and PL doing the rounds at Tuesday's General Council, especially if it helps to secure a TV deal. One thing is for sure... EL cannot carry on as it is, most if not all tracks haemorrhaging financially.

 

Talk is that the big earners and highest averaged riders will have to be sacrificed but where would that leave someone like Tai Woffinden. Would he be effectively barred from racing in his own country?

It shouldn't be hard to work something out. Tais wnats to ride British League but he's too good, so give him the challenge of starting form 15 metres. The same could be done for any other EL rider with an average over 7.2. That way rider either ride on their PL average or they can ride on their EL average from 15 metres. So you could have Kennett on 10.5 from the tapes or 6.5 from 15 metres. Any rider with a fro the gate average of over 8 could be give the choice of starting 15 metres back on a reduced average. It also means that when Craig Cook is an 11 point man, rather than Edinburgh having to send him off to the EL, he can just ride for 15 metres for them on a 7 point average.

 

Surely the biggest issue is Eastbourne and Lynn only wanting about 14 meetings a season while Sheffield want 20+ Then saying that, it may work out better as Coventry, Swindon and Wolves (any EL club actually) can take part in the Premier Trophy which rather than being a pre-season thing could run throughout the season (up to the mid of July, with semis by mid August and final by the end of September).

 

The other issue is that riders could not double up and lower order riders are going to want to ride for the teams riding in the league and trophy and not just the league teams but I guess thats the incentive to ride both.

 

The issues can be over come and some sort of merging would, should and would have to work for both of the leagues.