Hi Guys
I would just like to weigh in on my views on the BBC dropping coverage of the BDO darts.
For me this is a travesty. Darts has never been more popular than it is today and the BBC dropping it in inexplicable. An inexpensive sport to cover (i would hazard a guess that Gary Lineker's 'Match of the day' yearly wage is more than the darts budget combined) , the BBC has only itself to blame if the viewing figures are not what it wants. It has had little promotion over the years, has outdated production values and highlights are half hearted at best.
In short, the BBC has made no effort whatsoever with its coverage and budget whilst Sky and ITV have invested and are reaping fantastic viewing figures.
What i love about the BDO is its heritage and links to darts grass roots. It is a game that everyone can play and participate in, and indeed qualify for. There are no binding contracts and it is accessible to every player who competes in their pub on a week night and for a nominal fee.
I like the PDC however however it is now so distanced from the 'local player' scene that it is no longer the same thing, and the competitors by in large are now professional sportsmen and not entering through sheer sport per se. Much the same as football has now progressed beyond the point where the average Sunday league player can ever make it to the BIG time, so has darts gone 2 different routes.
Now i am not ratting on the PDC here, nor am i saying that the BDO players aren't elite however it is about accessibility.
One of the reasons i love the BDO is that i have played in leagues where BDO players play, i can play against BDO players and i can compete in events. Hell, on the BBC i could watch players who i can either relate to, have played, or could play. Its just so much more closer to you than what the PDC offers (unless you want to pay a high price to compete on the challenge tour), and in many ways more aspirational. Whats better than seeing someone you've played, beaten (or even lost to) go far in a TV tourney. It makes you think "i can do that"
Terrestrial TV (here in the UK) is still so much more prevalent than SKY and the BBC could really (for not much money) have got behind it and created household names of the players (think how much exposure the British Boxers Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno and Chris Eubank got on terrestrial tv). Instead they've dropped it....................well done BBC again thinking for thinking of the good of British sport eh?????
I really hope that someone else picks it up, and whats more does it justice. Darts is an inexpensive sport and whats more potentially very lucrative.
Yes it does need updating (but this doesn't mean booting out Bobby George, Tony Green etc). however it needs to retain its grass roots edge, not try and compete with the PDC (which can throw far more money at it, so you don't even need to go there) yet and be its own thing.
The BDO has a heck of a lineage, worldwide tournaments, and fantastic players. Just a few small tweaks and improved production values and who'ever takes it on will have a winner. As for the BBC it should be called:
B: BIG
B: Bullshit
C: Corporation
Since other than the wildlife shows there's nothing redeeming on its broadcasting these days!
Support the BDO people, darts wouldn't exist without it!
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