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Sky Sports Cricket Coverage 2016
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Alex2606
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by madmusician:
“The killer question, surely, is - hypothetically speaking - if you had a small selection of T20 on an FTA channel, how much revenue would the ECB lose? If the answer to that question is 'not that much in total', then you would want them to give it a go. We're all talking about viewing figures here, but if the financial risk isn't that great, then they are not going to rate worse than Sky, so you might as well try.

International cricket is the subscription-driver for Sky, I would argue. Obviously, the domestic stuff works as padding - for the dedicated cricket fan, there is plenty of cricket on during the summer (practically a game a day) and obviously the more domestic limited-overs cricket that Sky can show means better value for the subscriber, ergo more likely to subscribe. But it is the premium test match series (and other international cricket) that are the real subscription drivers, surely. The point is, *if* you had, I dunno, 10 T20 matches a year shown on, say, BBC Two, how much less would Sky pay for the rights for the international stuff? Logically, not that much. Obviously, if they want to play a game of brinkmanship (threaten to pay less for the international rights unless they have total exclusivity) things get harder.

There's been a lot of very sensible stuff written here about potential viewing figures and the like, but nobody has said what it would *lose* the ECB to pursue a small amount of domestic T20 FTA, all that people have said is that the *gain* will not be as much as some have said.

Actually, I would try to get ITV on side to show the (two) international T20 matches. Ensure to schedule one of them on Bank Holiday Monday in August (as it has been for the last couple of years). It's international cricket, ITV would, you'd hope, pay a not-bad rate for international sport, and it wouldn't rate too badly. It would, at least, be more in the public perception than having it stuck away on Sky. Again, how much less would Sky pay to not show two T20 matches? The shortfall may well not be made up by ITV, but you have to balance the financial shortfall against the gain of eyeballs.

Those are the toss-ups that the ECB should be making. I don't think that you will magically grow the game as some have suggested by putting domestic T20 FTA, but I don't think it should be automatically dismissed either. It's a game of margins - how much financial shortfall can you put up with compared to how much growth of viewing figures.

Go on, clever people - tear my argument apart. I'm sure I've missed something! ”

No need to, you've done it already with the hypothetical assumptions you've admit!

ITV may want to show two IT20s, it would be great if they did, but we don't know for sure that they do. Is there enough opportunity for them to gain in just showing 2 games a year or would they want more of a commitment? Commercial networks aren't philanthropic, they're not just going to do something for the good of a sport.

Would Sky play hardball for exclusivity on international games? They may do, they may not. Does a FTA partner need to go a partnership with a pay-tv broadcaster?

I've never said once that FTA would be bad thing for cricket, my bone of contention is with those who just think it's an easy as pie thing to put T20 on FTA television (on a network they may not even want it) and automatically think it will get 6/7 million viewers and become the biggest domestic sporting competition in this country
Neil_Harris
19-05-2016
[quote=madmusician;82453141
There's been a lot of very sensible stuff written here about potential viewing figures and the like, but nobody has said what it would *lose* the ECB to pursue a small amount of domestic T20 FTA, all that people have said is that the *gain* will not be as much as some have said.
[/QUOTE]

Wouldn't that depend on how they sold/priced the packages. Could they get more breaking them down. Surely the Ashes would be the biggest by far and go from there?
howard h
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by Jason C:
“Has David Gower got a touch of conjunctivitis today?”

He's winking at BT

What IS the latest about day/night first-class cricket? Noted during the Durham/Lancs game that the commentator explained the rules on lights have been tweaked so it's not, necessarily, when "artificial light overtakes natural" for bad light.

As mentioned above, in late May to end of July we have plenty of natural light which, with added floodlighting, means first-class games could extend to 8.30pm (and beyond up here!) without having to resort to white balls and pajamas. Actually, it would be very difficult to spot a white ball against the snow in Durham.....

But against that would be how much dew falls, which club cricketers finishing in the gloom know all about. But we manage 20/20 day-night games?

But back to the original point, how close are we to d/n 1st class cricket, or has it been virtually abandoned?
madmusician
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by Neil_Harris:
“Wouldn't that depend on how they sold/priced the packages. Could they get more breaking them down. Surely the Ashes would be the biggest by far and go from there?”

ariusuk, when he posted here, stated that the problem for FTA commercial broadcasters when it came to televising cricket wasn't the cost per se, it was the concept of bundling. This was in the context of the ICC rights, when he said that, should there be a package of attractive games for the 50-over World Cup when it will be held in England (in 2019) or for a World T20, then ITV would likely put in a reasonable bid for such a package. The problem is that that package does not exist. It is all bundled, so you'd also be obliged to show lots of U19 cricket, women's cricket, and the like and those are not going to be commercially successful for an FTA channel.

The ECB claimed in 2008 (the last time there was a real row about FTA coverage) that there were a number of different packages on offer (was it 26, they claimed?!) - yet somehow Sky retained exclusivity on them all. The Premier League has demonstrated that for their market (and I know that this market is substantially different to the ECB's) benefits from having multiple packages and split rights holders. Since they were forced into that by the EU, the value of the rights has rocketed up, and having two pay-TV broadcasters battling against each other has benefitted the tender process.

The ECB clearly thought in the past that giving Sky exclusive rights to everything would be the best way to extract maximum value, rather than drilling it down into specific packages (such as The Ashes as a standalone, for example). Given the movement in the TV market since 2012 (their last renewal) that might not be the best option today.

One feels that Colin Graves will try to get some kind of T20 FTA as part of this deal. As has been stated upthread, it is an ideal time, as both Sky and BT will be looking for any advantage going when it comes to getting a leg-up with the rights, so might be willing to offer an FTA component.

Re. Alex - you make (as ever) many excellent points. Of course we don't know specifics, but my argument was more that the ECB should really investigate these possibilities. One gets the sense that in the 2008 and 2012 renewals, it was just the easiest proposal to sign the dotted line with Sky once again, accept the money that comes their way and hand it all over without thinking outside the box when it comes to packaging things slightly differently.
madmusician
19-05-2016
Sorry for double post. BUT!!!!

Did we know that the BBC have in-play clip rights from the ECB?! They've just put up a video of a Hales edged four up as part of the live text, much like they used the ICC rights for the World T20.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cricket/36044833
howard h
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by madmusician:
“Sorry for double post. BUT!!!!

Did we know that the BBC have in-play clip rights from the ECB?! They've just put up a video of a Hales edged four up as part of the live text, much like they used the ICC rights for the World T20.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cricket/36044833”

Are they restricted on the total amount of clips they can show? Otherwise they could do it every ball!
bhaveshgorsia
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by madmusician:
“Sorry for double post. BUT!!!!

Did we know that the BBC have in-play clip rights from the ECB?! They've just put up a video of a Hales edged four up as part of the live text, much like they used the ICC rights for the World T20.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cricket/36044833”

Wow surely that a mistake. Not heard any deal of it and surprised sky are allowing it considering they been very strict with the Ecb cricket rights on county cricket online coverage.
On the county front think sky only allowing highlight after the game if sky are showing Ecb cricket on the day.
Would thought sky would want the same with the international game.
madmusician
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by howard h:
“Are they restricted on the total amount of clips they can show? Otherwise they could do it every ball!”

They were for the ICC rights. 8 mins of clips per hour of play, I think it was.

I don't know of the detail for their deal with the ECB, though, as it does not seem to have been reported anywhere.
bhaveshgorsia
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by madmusician:
“They were for the ICC rights. 8 mins of clips per hour of play, I think it was.

I don't know of the detail for their deal with the ECB, though, as it does not seem to have been reported anywhere.”

Not even mentioned on the bbc website unless graves will announce something at the lunch break.
brundlebud
19-05-2016
Could simply be the same deal they have to show clips on the news etc
tvphil
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by brundlebud:
“Could simply be the same deal they have to show clips on the news etc”

I very much doubt it.

Am sure this will need to have been specifically agreed between the ECB and BBC, and presumably also cleared by Sky and Channel 5.

Very odd that the BBC has made no mention of this, unless it is a one-off experiment?
Alex2606
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by howard h:
“He's winking at BT

What IS the latest about day/night first-class cricket? Noted during the Durham/Lancs game that the commentator explained the rules on lights have been tweaked so it's not, necessarily, when "artificial light overtakes natural" for bad light.

As mentioned above, in late May to end of July we have plenty of natural light which, with added floodlighting, means first-class games could extend to 8.30pm (and beyond up here!) without having to resort to white balls and pajamas. Actually, it would be very difficult to spot a white ball against the snow in Durham.....

But against that would be how much dew falls, which club cricketers finishing in the gloom know all about. But we manage 20/20 day-night games?

But back to the original point, how close are we to d/n 1st class cricket, or has it been virtually abandoned?”

We're still a long way away from any large scale kind of day/night first class cricket in this country. There are still major obstacles over things such as the type of ball that's used, the happiness of the players to play with it and the numbers of days certain counties are able to use floodlights for
howard h
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by Alex2606:
“We're still a long way away from any large scale kind of day/night first class cricket in this country. There are still major obstacles over things such as the type of ball that's used, the happiness of the players to play with it and the numbers of days certain counties are able to use floodlights for”

Are those counties with restricted floodlighting days allowed to use their lights at any time they please during daylight hours? Thinking if so, then they could be used up to 8-30 and even beyond in high summer. If there are daylight restrictions, I can't see how that would affect local residents so why a *ban*?
Alex2606
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by howard h:
“Are those counties with restricted floodlighting days allowed to use their lights at any time they please during daylight hours? Thinking if so, then they could be used up to 8-30 and even beyond in high summer. If there are daylight restrictions, I can't see how that would affect local residents so why a *ban*?”

There are definitely a couple I know of who have a blanket restriction on the number of days (regardless of time of day), but there is one other who is currently restricted, but are aiming to get an arrangement similar to the one you mentioned
Radiomike
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by Alex2606:
“But how can you offer the younger generation more one day cricket in the summer holidays when you've just said the 50-over competition should be in May/June? Do you want an extra competition in an already crowded schedule?

You know as well as I do that football is different, how many people play football on a Saturday morning and then go to a game that afternoon. You don't do that with club cricket, you lose your whole afternoon and part of the evening (possibly more if you have an away game)

This year 10 out of the 51 matches at Euro 2016 take place on a Saturday, for three consecutive Saturday's there are triple headers of football. Football is King in this country, it's almost impossible to compete against any kind of live football, especially tournament football and ones on FTA channels”

My plan would see more T20 in the summer holidays as that is what will attract the kids. My point about the 50 over game was simply that late May/June was better than April/May.

As to your first football point - not in June and July they don't. As to the Euro 2016 point 41 games are not on Saturdays - what about them? Shall we just cancel all cricket that clashes with any football at all as that seems to be the logic of your argument.
ThomasStirk
19-05-2016
No Nasser for this test or Wardy?
Cricketblade
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by ThomasStirk:
“No Nasser for this test or Wardy?”

think Nasser was installing the 'sky pod' in Essex!
lincsat
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by Alex2606:
“There are definitely a couple I know of who have a blanket restriction on the number of days (regardless of time of day), but there is one other who is currently restricted, but are aiming to get an arrangement similar to the one you mentioned”

I always wondered why there are so many restrictions on Cricket grounds actually using their floodlights. Can you imagine the uproar if a soccer ground had similar restrictions, or even a council owned leisure centre.
Cricketblade
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by lincsat:
“I always wondered why there are so many restrictions on Cricket grounds actually using their floodlights. Can you imagine the uproar if a soccer ground had similar restrictions, or even a council owned leisure centre.”

football grounds in residential areas have had floodlights for a long long time. Day night cricket is still a new thing.
mlt11
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by madmusician:
“ Go on, clever people - tear my argument apart. I'm sure I've missed something! ”

Not at all - I thought your post was extremely intelligent, thoughtful, balanced and well written.

I think you are absolutely right.
Alex2606
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by Radiomike:
“My plan would see more T20 in the summer holidays as that is what will attract the kids. My point about the 50 over game was simply that late May/June was better than April/May.

As to your first football point - not in June and July they don't. As to the Euro 2016 point 41 games are not on Saturdays - what about them? Shall we just cancel all cricket that clashes with any football at all as that seems to be the logic of your argument.”

I would be seriously wary about scheduling my supposedly biggest product and new cash cow up against tournament football (especially home nations games) yes. Do you not remember the massively empty stands at Old Trafford while England were playing Denmark in the 2002 World Cup? In 2014 Sky moved a start time for Birmingham vs Northants forward as England were playing Uruguay later that evening, the crowd size was dismally small.

Last season Birmingham Bears specifically asked not to have their QF on the Friday as Aston Villa were at home on the same day and they knew they would struggle to get the same size crowd as on other days.

Speak to most county commercial teams and they'll tell you the difficulty of going up against any kind of football, domestic or international. If all your eggs are going into one T20 basket then you have to schedule it very carefully
jazzydrury3
19-05-2016
On Nasser and Wardy, I'm guessing we will see them tomorrow night, that pod looks like a strange object, I guess the Bus Shelters have rusted away
madmusician
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by mlt11:
“Not at all - I thought your post was extremely intelligent, thoughtful, balanced and well written.

I think you are absolutely right.”

Thank you - that means an awful lot coming from yourself.
Cricketblade
19-05-2016
Originally Posted by jazzydrury3:
“On Nasser and Wardy, I'm guessing we will see them tomorrow night, that pod looks like a strange object, I guess the Bus Shelters have rusted away”

Looks like its a ground level. Wonder if thats where the main commentary team will be or just the studio?! Am sure there will be plenty of 'banter' about it https://twitter.com/nassercricket/st...88111686438912
jazzydrury3
19-05-2016
How much would it cost Sky to provide the events centre on test series outside of the Ashes.

I'm normally at home, but have to go out tomorrow morning, so will miss the morning session if I don't record it.

I know on the Sky Sports app for iPad, they show brief highlights but that is only like 1 minute.

It is coming up to 9pm, and can't wait to see Bob back with the Verdict
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