Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad
"It makes note of the market Virgin Media enjoys in the north of England, rugby league’s heartland, and states “rugby league is one of the UK’s biggest sports, and to not have its world championships available to as wide an audience as possible in the host nation is lamentable.”
"We know there are commercial aspects, but it is appalling that such an important event such as the Rugby League World Cup is simply not available as broadly as possible – particularly in the host nation.”
Instead of trying to make Virgin Media the villain of the piece, maybe Greg Mulholland should ask why the Rugby League sold their rights back in April to a niche tin can broadcaster in the first place. As stated in his letter, the Rugby League knew at the time Premier Sports had been up and running for almost 3 years without a carriage deal with Virgin Media. Why did they think this would suddenly change?
They only have themselves to blame for narrowing the potential viewing audience. Happy to take the money but no the consequences.
|
Surely the answer if they are that worried about is to let BBC or ITV have it free to air instead of trying to make as much profit as they can.
May help the minority sport get more punters through the door, runs and hides
