In April 2006 the BBC announced that Grandstand is to end in 2009, stating that the Grandstand format (one programme, multiple sports) will be replaced by multiple programmes, each about a specific sport. This format change has already begun and is more logical and appropriate to modern viewers with sophisticated PVR recording systems such as Sky+. However, it would be a shame to lose another piece of British TV heritage. Nearly every adult in the UK identifies British sport with Grandstand and its unique and emotive theme music. For many it was their introduction to some sports.
Digital TV brought more TV channels for the BBC, but not a dedicated sports channel. The BBC should preserve the valuable Grandstand brand as the name for a new dedicated BBC sports channel. They've partly gone down this route with the interactive channels providing extended and diverse coverage of the big events, such as Wimbledon, horse racing Cup and FIFA World Cup. The new BBC Grandstand sports channel would also free the general entertainment channels up from showing sports.
Whilst some may argue that the BBC cannot afford to screen sports in the modern commercial environment, they are forgetting four key points:
For examples of sports which could be (cheaply) covered, think back to Channel 4 and Five's experiments with American Football, Gaelic sports, Aussie Rules, cycling, Khabaddi, Ultimate Frisbee and cricket. Look at some of the minority satellite, cable and Internet channels covering sports such as cycling, snow sports and extreme sports, such as BASE jumping or PK (free running). There are plenty of sports to fill a dedicated sports channels, with periodic overflow onto interactive channels (301 to 303 on FreeView) whenever there are large events.
Soccer fans may at last get individual programmes dedicated to each tier/league, instead of having to either sit through a two or three hour programme about several tiers, or even see nothing at all about their team. I'd suggest the programmes could be broadcast each night after games have been played, or perhaps the following day, or perhaps only weekly. Programme length would vary depending on the number of games played between programmes. The programmes could be named (e.g. League One Programme, Conference North Programme) and "Series Linked" to allow PVRs to be set once to always record a viewer's preferred league/tier. The format could be:
This format could also be applied to other sports, of course.
If you believe that the basic concept of BBC Grandstand as a digital TV sports channel is a good one, then I suggest telling the BBC via the BBC web site (you will need to register). The BBC belongs to us and we can shape their planning if enough people voice their opinion.
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