The Sport Thread

Ray Stubbs taken ill during the first half of Liverpool v Wolves on ESPN, which he was anchoring from the London studio. As a result, the commentator, Jon Champions, at the ground, led the half time discussion with Kevin Keegan and Steve Coppell, both in London.

Stubbs was taken to hospital for checks ....

Media Guardian

ESPN presenter Ray Stubbs released after precautionary night in hospital

• ESPN: 'He is doing well and we expect him back soon'
• Presenter thanks everyone for their concern

Media Guardian

It annoys me how, nearly 12 years after digital first arrived, channels like ESPN are still being referred to as "satellite" - that's just one of FOUR ways of receiving the channel.

It's been pointed out elsewhere that the BBC have not been promoting their coverage of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. It isn't featured in the current BBC trailers for 2010 sports events. Maybe this is the reason why....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/commonwealthgames/6908454/England-ready-to-pull-out-of-Commonwealth-Games-over-terror-risk.html

England or no England, the BBC should cover the event, though probably more from London than on location. I assume they've got the rights - I'm sure they have to Glasgow 2014 (which hence make Scotland pulling out this year unlikely), so I'd assume 2010 was covered too.

The 2014 rights are still to be awarded, and it is possible that by then the Commonwealth Games will be de-listed, which was the recent recommendation.

There is an absurd article http://insidethegames.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8315:exclusive-glasgow-commonwealth-games-facing-multi-million-gap-in-budget-after-davies-report-&catid=1:latest-news where the organisers fear somehow this will reduce the value of the rights.

They need to talk to other sports bodies, such as the ECB (cricket), who take the opposite view that listing will reduce the rights paid.

The only rational explanation I can think of for the organisers views is that they think the BBC cover the games as it is listed, If it wasn't listed, the BBC wouldn't feel obliged to cover the games, and no one else would.

Note a fifth broadcast FACup 3rd round tie ,,,

6.15pm, Sunday 3 January 2010
Tranmere Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Live on www.TheFA.com/FATV

well it would have been a fifth had the lunchtime game today not fallen to the frosty weather.

As would Bristol v Cardiff had been, had it not fallen - it was scheduled to be shown on S4/C.

Interesting that was planned to be shown on S4C. Wonder if they'll show the rescheduled fixture then (presumably a week next Tue/Wed).

Also with fixtures postponed when it comes to showing a replay are ITV obliged to show a replay, or should none take their fancy could they show a postponed 3rd round tie instead?

A very real worry I believe. I don't see Eurosport or Sky jumping to cover them.

Colin Murray seemed to be in his element at Lakeside... a superb replacement for Ray Stubbs in my opinion.