Ashes Cricket

Are you sure about C4? Im sure at the end of their coverage in 2005 or maybe in an article it was said that they would bid again in/for 2009.

I'm sure I read in an article too that they wouldn't come to Cricket's rescue in four years time either!

If Channel 4 don't bid again - which would be a crying shame - than the BBC are our only hope. It will be an unpopular move, but they would probably put live coverage on BBCi: it's free to view, promotes digital switchover, and can be as flexible as the game dictates.

Bozz

Trouble is with things like Wimbledon, the Open and events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, even with BBCi there will still be scheduling problems.

I don't get cricket highlights, what's the value in condensing over 6 hours play into a 30 minute highlights programme 18 hours after the action happened ? What cricket fan is going to be happy with that ?

As for the future of cricket on British TV, the England team are doing a great job of securing that.

The cricket fan who's currently in this country and has to be up and about during the daytime, so can't watch (much of) the live coverage is currently relying on the highlights programmes.

I have to say, though, that I'm using the Sky, two-and-a-half hour versions, rather than the BBC half-hour ones. That's partly because of the longer programme giving more coverage; and partly because the BBC programme is on after the following day's live coverage (the beginning of which I tend to watch) has started.

The other option is to record the live programme yourself and then fast-forward to the good bits, but it's easier to let the broadcaster do the editing for you.

I'm sure those without access to the Sky highlights, for whatever reason (including not being home at the right time), appreciate the BBC version, even if it IS the third best option.

Cricket fans (and I know an awful lot of them) like to watch as much of the game as possible; so option one is to travel to the ground; option two is to watch live on television; option three is the longest highlights package available; option four is ANY highlights package, however short and long after the event.

Do Sky have any accompanying interactive service perhaps offering shorter highlights packages during the day?

I THINK they do.

They keep on and on about pressing red during the day, but I have to say that I ignore most of what all broadcasters say about pressing red.

Don't think so - but skysports.com does, for free.

I haven't heard Bob Willis or Paul Allott on the Sky team. I wonder if they have been sacked?

They weren't there in the summer either. I think Willis was presenter on the highlights programme and in the County Cricket team and Allott did his programme on Sunday mornings and was on the County team aswell. (Sorry if this is wrong - I haven't got Sky!)

You may be right. Wisden did a survey in 2005 of fans opinions on the C4 and Sky commentary teams and Willis and Allott came bottom. Michael Slater and Michael Atherton (from C4) came near the top and it seems Sky signed them both up and have relegated Willis and Allott instead.