What is it with TV broadcssting and equestrianism?

Boxers

Boxers

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So I have been watching HOYs on Sky Sports 4. So for a start not everyone will be able to watch it.

I remember when I was a kid 70's & 80's that it was on BBC and just about everyone watched it non-horsey included.

I just went on the BBC Sports page, clicked Other Sport and clicked Equestrian. The features on there are still Burghley and the Olympics, in fact at the top of the page it says the page was last updated on 18 September!

HOYs has big names, big money classes, rider of the year etc, and not just SJ, there is showing and pony club, not to mention trick riding and other entertainments.

It is so annoying that the papers are usually full of football and IMO that is one sport that England are not very good at!
 
I agree with this. Wish the BBC would do more to be honest, regardless if you're 'horsey' or not, it does make good TV viewing! I remember watching Olympia on TV when I was little, don't think they show that any more on BBC1 though do they? It was on the red button last year.
 
I agree there aren't that many football fans who want to watch games that don't involve their own team either, so the potential audience for each match is cut down. Unfortunately the main TV channels seem to be stuck in a rut with their programming, apart from equestrian sports, why don't they show women's football and cricket?
 
I was thinking about this the other day- what has happened to equestrian sport?
It is also one of the few sports where men and women compete equally, most sports shown on TV are men only.
You barely ever hear about the female cricket and football teams, which are far more successful than the men!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I agree there aren't that many football fans who want to watch games that don't involve their own team either,
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I really don't think that is true. All the genuine fans I know watch absolutely loads of matches including foreign games (la liga and serie A) and European matches too.

Equestrianism is very much a minority sport. The BBC couldn't even justify holding on to the exclusive rights for the F1 despite their coverage receiving much applaud and it drawing really good audiences. No way can they justify out bidding sky for HOYS etc. It would cost too much and too few people would watch.
 
What I don't understand is why when the BBC are losing rights to broadcast a lot of sports they aren't putting some effort into less popular sports that could be broadcast relatively cheaply as the rights are less in demand. Now they have the digital channels it would be possible to broadcast something with a reasonable following that doesn't attract massive bids.
 
Haven't they been told to cut costs quite drastically? Hence the move to Salford. I imagine they literally can not afford a lot of the sport as they still have to make Eastenders!
 
jesstickle said:
Haven't they been told to cut costs quite drastically? Hence the move to Salford. I imagine they literally can not afford a lot of the sport as they still have to make Eastenders!
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Ha! Now, there's a show that they definitely should throw on the scrap heap! Can't believe I have to pay a blooming TV licence for that cr*p to be shown numerous times a week taking up hours of air time!!!
 
ladyt25 said:
Ha! Now, there's a show that they definitely should throw on the scrap heap! Can't believe I have to pay a blooming TV licence for that cr*p to be shown numerous times a week taking up hours of air time!!!
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I agree but I fear we are in the minority :(

Thanks goodness for BBC4. That's what I pay my license fee for these days :)
 
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