The BBC and the America's Cup

[bdh198]

Have I missed something or is there a reason why there is not a single line of commentary or coverage anywhere on the BBC of the racing in New York over the weekend?

I know sailing doesn't have the greatest media profile, but the BBC nevertheless have a dedicated sailing sports page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sailing. Not even a whiff of the racing in New York, extraordinary!

With the history of the event, the racing in a city like New York, the fastest sailing boats in the world, a serious British challenger and even personalities like Richard Branson getting in on the act it seems a combination that would certainly be of sufficient interest to have even just a small mention somewhere on the countries biggest broadcaster.

 

[st599]

Have I missed something or is there a reason why there is not a single line of commentary or coverage anywhere on the BBC of the racing in New York over the weekend?

I know sailing doesn't have the greatest media profile, but the BBC nevertheless have a dedicated sailing sports page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/sailing. Not even a whiff of the racing in New York, extraordinary!

With the history of the event, the racing in a city like New York, the fastest sailing boats in the world, a serious British challenger and even personalities like Richard Branson getting in on the act it seems a combination that would certainly be of sufficient interest to have even just a small mention somewhere on the countries biggest broadcaster.

Apart from the highlights coverage on the Red Button and iPlayer you mean?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cb980/episodes/player

 

[roblpm]

See this thread for some previous moaning. But does seem that the BBC will post a highlights programme on iplayer a few days after the event.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?450478-America-s-Cup-Oman-TV-coverage

 

[bdh198]

Apart from the highlights coverage on the Red Button and iPlayer you mean?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cb980/episodes/player

It's more the fact there is no journalistic coverage or reporting of it. Not a single word is written on the BBC website, not even the page dedicated to sailing. Looking at the site you would have no idea the race even happened; the most recent mention of the America's Cup being Bermuda back in October!

The iplayer coverage you have linked has literally only just come live in the last couple of hours. Over 24 hours after the last race finished. Yet there is no mention of that coverage anywhere else on the BBC.

 

[bdh198]

At least there are other media platforms where we can get some comment or analysis:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sailing/...eds-new-york-but-it-did-not-need-this-course/

 

[flaming]

We all know that the BBC has some pretty severe budget issues at the moment, and Sport seems to have taken the biggest share of the cuts, having to first give up all F1 races live, then drop it altogether for example. Whether or not you think this is a good thing (I don't, I'd happily plow all the money spent on crap like Eastenders, strictly etc into sport) then it's clear that there certainly wouldn't be the budget to send a reporter to NY to cover it. And given that the articles on the BBC would then be just rehashing other pieces, or based on someone watching the TV, then I'm actually pretty glad they don't bother.
I probably visit the BBC sport page every day, but I go there to read about football, rugby and cricket. All of these I have an interest in, but not an all encompassing, life defining, obsession like some. For me, the casual fan, the BBC output is ideal. Deep enough to be interesting, light enough to be accessible.

But whenever they do any article on sailing or skiing, sports I really follow and do, I find usually it wasn't news to me and that the detail is infuriatingly sparse. So I toddle off to Y&Y, or SA or a ski site. Though to be honest I probably already did.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Is it more to do with the fact that the British team has an exclusive sponsorship with BT Sport? Lots of coverage there...

Slightly separately - I downloaded the America's Cup app this weekend and they charge £3.50 for live coverage of the event - never got round to it in the end, but has anyone stumped up the cash and willing to give a review as to whether it is worth it???

 

[flaming]

Is it more to do with the fact that the British team has an exclusive sponsorship with BT Sport? Lots of coverage there...

Slightly separately - I downloaded the America's Cup app this weekend and they charge £3.50 for live coverage of the event - never got round to it in the end, but has anyone stumped up the cash and willing to give a review as to whether it is worth it???

Loads of feedback over on Anarchy about that. My understanding is that it doesn't work in the UK as BT have the rights.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Loads of feedback over on Anarchy about that. My understanding is that it doesn't work in the UK as BT have the rights.

Wasn't aware of the BT Sport app - now installed on the HUDL :encouragement:

 

[roblpm]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cb980

Chicago highlights due on iplayer late Tuesday evening