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Than would watch horse racing?
Sports coverage on the BBC this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon consists of Clare Balding presenting two rugby league matches between Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves and Crusaders and Catalans Dragons.
In the past the BBC have covered all 3 main meetings today but prefer the rugby league today and tomorrow.Has anyone got any figures to show how much more popular this rugby league is with BBC viewers compared to quality horse racing action?
Plenty of people watch the Rugby League on BBC as they do on Sky Sports (in fact despite the lower coverage levels SL games on Sky get higher figures than for the Guinness Premiership games).
The BBC only show the Four Nations, World Cup and Challenge Cup rounds so it’s not exactly vast coverage. I’d hazard the viewing figures for the Challenge Cup are higher than for a run of the mill Saturday race meeting though.
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In our neck of the woods (most Southern areas and as far north as Yorkshire) BBC1 are giving us qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix this afternoon, and no Rugby with Clare Balding at all.
Even this is a delayed transmission, not live, and it looks as if unexpectedly elongated General Election coverage has put everything sporting out of kilter.
As the best races are on C4, and as regional flavours are readily available (at least on Sky) I can’t see that anyone should be seriously indignant.
Rugby League is very much a regional sport and has no business being on national BBC.
Value Is EverythingI agree.
Rugby League has no appeal in the SE and is barely reported,
It is not played in schools and seems to represent what to southerners is an alien northern world
I played and prefer Union.
If it’s a good game it’s good entertainment.
Horse racing? It’s a good card so League will be 2nd choice.
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It amuses me that people are willing to pigeon-hole rugby league fans yet are seemingly fit to burst when stereo-typed by R4C.
I live in the Midlands, around 15 minutes from Birmingham, and am a huge rugby league fan. Go figure.
I’m from St Helens and living in Brighton and I am a massive RL fan.
Always amazes me how many people watch the boring Guinness Premiership whilst slating a proper, competitive league like the SL.
Although not a rugby league fan ( I prefer watching international rugby union matches on tv ), I used to tune in when the late Eddie( "it’s an oop an’ oonder " )Waring commentated for the BBC – back in the days of the muddiest of muddy pitches and when shirts weren’t littered in sponsors names and teams weren’t known as tigers or bulls.
A little later, I aslo enjoyed ( as a non aficienado ) watching talented players like Martin Offiah in full flight.I don’t watch it now.
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Offiah was in a league of his own – players like Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins are a joy to watch despite the European RL being some way behind the NRL.
Although an ardent union fan, I appreciate the skills of the 13 man code a lot more than I used to. The game has a strong base in the south east these days with Harlequins RL in the Super League and many schools playing. A union playing colleague is trying to get me to start playing but I am 52 and built for comfort rather than speed.
A little later, I aslo enjoyed ( as a non aficienado ) watching talented players like Martin Offiah in full flight.
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