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The merits, or otherwise, of BBC and C4 racing has been the subject of many a thread on TRF over the years, moreso recently in light of the rumours-now-become-fact. Given this is a Racing Forum I’ve long been surprised at the volume of posts dedicated to Terrestrial racing broadcasts as I’d surmise – perhaps wrongly – that the substantial majority of TRF correspondents would subscribe to either or both of ATR and RUK, be that on the goggler, or simply online as I quite happily restrict myself too nowadays.
Therefore a poll may be of interest, with any accompanying reasons why ‘yes’ or ‘no’
For my part, ever since the days when the original Racing Channel first aired, I’ve found the Satellite racing channels far preferable to their terrestrial counterparts and the subscriptions value for money. So from a selfish point of view what goes on at the BBC is of virtually no concern to me
I’d actually go further by saying that I believe all sports should be consigned to subscription channels as we the viewers have no intrinsic right to expect to watch them for ‘free’, given – the some would say obscene – amounts of money high profile sports demand from TV broadcasters which drain the resources of the ‘free to view’ terrestrial broadcasters to the detriment of other programming
Regarding the BBC Licence Fee: so long as they keep BBC4 and their marvellous Radio networks going I will quite happily pay it and more for the privilege
Regarding the BBC Licence Fee: so long as they keep BBC4 and their marvellous Radio networks going I will quite happily pay it and more for the privilege
You really do need to try listening to the snappily-titled BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire before going around saying things like that…
Mike
Very well said.
Personally I listened to Timeform Radio, reading the sporting life blog and watching selected recordings last week and found their coverage to be perfectly adequate.
Even though the test matches are now on Sky and Messrs Arlott, Johnston, Frindall and others are looking on some Elysian Field, Test Match Special still offers the best entertainment.
I subscribe to the RUK on-line feed, which also happens to be cheaper than a TV subscription.
I do not watch ATR at home as it is part of SKY and I will not give Murdoch any of my money if I can help it. It is possible to watch ATR replays for free on their website, albeit 30 mins after the race, and that is what I do.
Even with RUK I only watch the racing itself – I have no interest in the punditry.
Regarding the BBC Licence Fee: so long as they keep BBC4 and their marvellous Radio networks going I will quite happily pay it and more for the privilege
You really do need to try listening to the snappily-titled BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire before going around saying things like that…
Mike
Perhaps if you moved to somewhere more civilized, like Kabul, you would be out of the reception area.
Regarding the BBC Licence Fee: so long as they keep BBC4 and their marvellous Radio networks going I will quite happily pay it and more for the privilege
Couldn’t they do that with a few adverts?
The incessant trailers they have for future programmes I find particularly nauseating, may as well be adverts as trailers.Think I could manage without the BBC now and would prefer to have my licence fee in my pocket, I begrudge paying it for them now.
Both: Although on Sky you don’t need to "subscribe" to ATR. So doubt if many "votes" go to them alone.
First subscribed to RUK when they were giving a year free if Authorised won the Derby.
Compared to every other form expert on terrestrial TV thought Jim (C4) McGrath was God. Having said that, he was the only form expert on terrestrial, still is. However, didn’t take me long to realise RUK has many people with the same knowledge. Mellish, Cunningham etc. Bit disappointed with ATR on that front. Hugh Taylor and Sean Boyce are the only two on there I’d consider their opinion.
Only time I watch C4 instead of RUK is when the latter have too many meetings. ATR’s pre-racing (morning) coverage is good, but still prefer C4 to ATR’s actual racing coverage.
Do think we criticise C4 a little too much. It’s not exactly aimed at us racing fanatics. They need to explain things a bit more to once a week/month/year punter/racing enthusiast.
I see on my parents Freeview TV there’s a channel for RUK "coming soon". So might be able to get the channels cheaper in future, without needing to subscribe to Sky. Not got cable, as living out in the sticks.
Value Is EverythingI see on my parents Freeview TV there’s a channel for RUK "coming soon". So might be able to get the channels cheaper in future, without needing to subscribe to Sky. Not got cable, as living out in the sticks.
It is still £20 a month and you need the TV to be linked to the Internet, so would need a high limit broadband connection to use the service.
That’s a shame Paul.The £20 would be fine, as there wouldn’t be any Sky subscription. But the high limit broadband is a no no.
Value Is EverythingRegarding the BBC Licence Fee: so long as they keep BBC4 and their marvellous Radio networks going I will quite happily pay it and more for the privilege
And surely this is you Drone??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lzS8yW8INA
Love it!
Mike
I subscribe to the RUK on-line feed, which also happens to be cheaper than a TV subscription.
It is possible to watch ATR replays for free on their website, albeit 30 mins after the race, and that is what I do
Exactly what I do too , as I cancelled my Sky subs a couple of years ago
Perhaps I should declare an interest – or a non-interest to be precise – because though my fascination with Horse Racing lingers, I now have next to no interest in any other sports. So ’tis easy for me to say they should all be on subscription channels, as I wouldn’t contemplate subscribing if they were!
And surely this is you Drone??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lzS8yW8INA
VG
Nice jacket Mr TookIts Ruk for me each and every time , I actually appreciate Hislop / Mellish and Luck in a big way (am warming to Nevison: he is improving big time ), they are consummate professionals , I did actually flick over to Ch 4 once during the festival , only to be greeted by Lesley Graham smiling as she does ……quick flick back and thank God for that ….phew narrow escape from sycophantic heaven (or hell in my case )….
I will miss the Beeb , but if they don’t want to do it then away you go Auntie
As for ATR , is just not for me at all , mostly low grade fare , Ascot apart , but could not be critical of it nonetheless
Ricky
I don’t subscribe to either because I don’t have enough free time to watch them as much as I’d need to justify a subscription. I am content with Sporting Life replays for RUK and the ATR website replays. I’ve no particular requirement to watch the races live, so replays suit my purposes.
I do like the end of race analysis from RUK, though I notice they’ve been truncating the replays recently. Not paying for it means I can’t complain on that front!
Rob
Both. I keep a video archive I record onto external hard drives from their replays which I find well worth it even with on line replays now, had very poor internet connectivity previously so on line videos were poor but I’d rather keep high quality videos at the click of a button on my pc.
TV’s are always playing out the channels and definitely rather have the pictures in ‘real time’ than not. Not fussed on the punditry personally, often on mute (always when Norton is on) but would say RUK do well in that department.
Fine with Sky sub as watch football, darts, cricket and other sports
Obviously, I watch both depending on which chanel the racing is on.
ATR – is better in the mornings (as RUk dont put anything on it wouldn’t be difficult!). Boycie is well worth the time of day.
The RUK covering of racing is superior IMO. As you would probably expect for a subscription chanel which tends to have the better racing. I don’t tend to listen to too much in the way of pundits, although most of them do seem to be very capable/accomplished, exept Luck, Richard Hoiles and Steve Mellish who are all outstanding IMO. Rishi Persad continues to be out of his depth in comparion.
So, all in all I go RUK.
I have access to ATR only, because I can’t really justify forking out £20 a month for RUK (much as I’d like to) when I work most days of the week so wouldn’t get the benefit.
The fact that the Beeb has lost the rights doesn’t bother me because their coverage is always cringeworthy anyway. Channel 4, for all its faults, do it better.
That’s a shame Paul.
Nice jacket Mr Took
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