Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

You are totally missing the point.

It is only matches not scheduled to be televised by Sky/BT that are being shown free to air - yes this is only being done to placate supporters who are not able to attend.

Their are NO international cricket matches which are not shown on Sky so I seriously doubt they will allow wall to wall coverage on free to air TV even if a channel was to devout the hours required to show it (which after all was why BBC stopped coverage alongside the fact they wouldn't pay the going rate)

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

The is a precedent, the WC final Sky had the rights to last year, but it ended up on free to air as England were involved. Sky would have to give the ok, but they might be pressured to by the ECB who were desperate for some free to air cricket this year,but can't now the proposed 100 ball is cancelled. Might also work in Sky's favour as a loss leader advert for further coverage. The fly in ointment will be the Windies who prob. won't compete much as they've been forced to take a 50% pay cut !

---------- Post added at 12:21 ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 ----------

We agree most of the time really Den ;)

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I'm sure sky would want a rebate if this were to happen, would ECB want that in the current financial climate?

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I'm seriously considering my whole Virgin package, which is due for renewal in the next few weeks, I'm a really keen football fan, but, if the games are going to be played behind closed doors in the new season then I won't be taking the football package, the games are nothing without fans in the stadiums, they are an absolute bore fest!

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Your choice entirely. I've been watching the Bundesliga on BT Sports - agree the experience is not so good.

But is this because:-

1 the football is not as good (I wouldn't normally watch it)
2 most of the players are total unknowns to me
3 lack of crowd

Or a mixture of all 3 - I am not sure, just thankful to have some sport to watch

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

1/ l disagree as its been pretty competive given the circomstances.
2/ That is not surprising.:D
3/ Not much one can do there as the other tops leagues will be no different.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

The games are like training exercises to me, the lack of atmosphere from the crowd noise totally ruins the game IMO, players need the noisy crowds to egg them on, they thrive on the backing that they get from the fans, football without fans is nothing IMO.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I quite agree, however until a vaccine appears or the virus disappears, I do not think crowds will be allowed.

This could be January or later - so it's football without crowds for the forseeable or no football which risks dozens of clubs ceasing to exist.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

One can only hope. The socialism that preserved town/community football, and the 3pm blackout, must be eradicated. The sooner the better.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Some us that follow non-league are quite at home with the atmosphere of these games. There's usually a lot more swearing, blood and ref abuse though. Much more entertaining and cheaper ! ;)

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

I'm really not looking forward to rugby coming back behind closed doors, from what I've seen of the German football it's just devoid of atmosphere.

It's no great surprise that English football, being as much of a business as it is, is itching to come back.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

It's all going to be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

At least until there is a vaccine or number of new cases is down to a very low number.

Even when crowds are allowed they may be severely reduced

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Indeed so one better get used to it as in my view if one thinks it is not worth having the subscription without the atmosphere then my advice would be to cancel their subscription.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

And the players are playing because they want to play and not because they are being paid a fortune per appearance - or even non-appearance.

Re: Sky Sports to end freezed payments
 

Indeed so - I'm following developments with rugby's autumn internationals very closely. I had my eye on the All Blacks game at Twickenham, but the Kiwis have already said they're not touring now. Cowards :)