"Her new contract, revealed on Monday, precludes her from presenting racing programmes on any other channel until the end of 2016 but will allow her to continue other presenting roles, both on Channel 4 and elsewhere."
"Her new contract, revealed on Monday, precludes her from presenting racing programmes on any other channel until the end of 2016 but will allow her to continue other presenting roles, both on Channel 4 and elsewhere."
''The deal with Channel 4 is non-exclusive so Balding, who has been linked with a presenting role for a new sporting chatshow on the BBC, will still be able to work for the corporation.
Balding's previous Channel 4 credits include Crufts – like the horseracing, also formerly on the BBC – and Famous and Fearless, the short-lived celebrity stunt show she co-hosted with Chris Evans.
She said the new deal would enable her to combine horseracing on Channel 4 with "expanded and varied programming at the BBC".
Presenters wise and it's no surprise that the old faithful of BBC Sport have been the best received presenters.
After Clare, Jake Humphrey was probably the best recieved./quote]
According to an MSN poll (I know! ). Lineker was the best received presenter followed by Balding.
Which I think totally backed up the BBC's decision for him to be in his role, his mass appeal was important and underestimated by some on here.
I'd agree. Gary Linekar wasn't really trusted to present anything too live, he handed over to the more experienced presenters but he played a valuable role in interviewing Gold medal winners and filling in the gaps. For someone not familiar with a lot of the sports Linekar did a good job, once they released Ian Thorpe from him.
And to be honest I only really heard one person complain about Linekar on here.......
I think Claire is still going to present the Challenge Cup for the BBC where there are no clashes with racing - according to an interview with someone at the BBC in one of the Rugby League magazines this month
I think Claire is still going to present the Challenge Cup for the BBC where there are no clashes with racing - according to an interview with someone at the BBC in one of the Rugby League magazines this month
I think Claire is still going to present the Challenge Cup for the BBC where there are no clashes with racing - according to an interview with someone at the BBC in one of the Rugby League magazines this month
I can't see her doing racing every week.
One website lists these race meets:
".....the Cheltenham Festival, Aintree's three-day Grand National meeting, the Derby Festival from Epsom Downs, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the entire Flat Season British Champions Series and Day."
A lot more than the Beeb had for sure but still not weekly work.
I think Claire is still going to present the Challenge Cup for the BBC where there are no clashes with racing - according to an interview with someone at the BBC in one of the Rugby League magazines this month
I can't see her doing racing every week.
One website lists these race meets:
".....the Cheltenham Festival, Aintree's three-day Grand National meeting, the Derby Festival from Epsom Downs, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the entire Flat Season British Champions Series and Day."
A lot more than the Beeb had for sure but still not weekly work.
Just the stuff she did at the Beeb and the bigger existing Channel 4 ones, as I expected.
and the BBC have now lost their most well received presenter to C4
Have you actually read her statement.
We're all reading between the lines and jumping to conclusions - I personally interpret "expanded and varied programming at the BBC" as non-sports content, though I guess it may be a case that she remains part of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams.
And I think you'll find I've given Jake credit where it's due over the last fortnight - as a studio presenter he was one of the best at handling the multiple sports assoicated with the Olympics, but he wasn't that great as the dedicated cycling presenter. Indeed he spent most the time complaining he was hot!
Going forward though should it be a case now that BBC Sport becomes very much a freelance led operation with the BBC happily letting most of their big names host elsewhere, only bringing them in when required - or is it time for them to re-establish some kind of heirarchy at BBC Sport and concentrate on a few names as the faces of the brand, keeping them exclusive to the BBC where possible.
As great as Clare Balding is should BBC Sport actually accommodate her (after all they never let Des Lynam go and present the Champions League midweek then return for MOTD at the weekends) or should they use it as an opportunity to establish a new rugby league presenter and reallocate her other roles (mainly Wimbledon on 5 Live and swimming, the Winter Olympics) as suits BBC Sport, rather than as suits Clare Balding.
As great as Clare Balding is should BBC Sport actually accommodate her (after all they never let Des Lynam go and present the Champions League midweek then return for MOTD at the weekends) or should they use it as an opportunity to establish a new rugby league presenter and reallocate her other roles (mainly Wimbledon on 5 Live and swimming, the Winter Olympics) as suits BBC Sport, rather than as suits Clare Balding.
Why? The BBC would be mad to do this, at the moment Clare Balding is at her peak as a broadcaster and she'll still be an asset to the BBC.
Just home from work and catching up on the news regarding Clare Balding. All I can say is, thank goodness she's not lost from the BBC completely.
Reading through some of the media on this, it seems many of the quotes can be taken out of context. This is from Clare's official website itself:
Quote:
As the final clouds of confetti are cleared and Clare catches her breath after the sensational and glorious haze that was London 2012, Channel 4 has announced that she will be fronting their new era of horseracing coverage as of January 2013.
“I’m delighted that this agreement means I am able to broadcast racing for Channel 4 and combine it with expanded and varied programming at the BBC,” Clare says. “I love my job and I can't believe how lucky I am. I thrive on being challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone and I’m incredibly excited at what the future holds.
Channel 4 will be teaming up with IMG Sports Media to produce exclusive coverage of all the sport’s premium events over the next four years, including Cheltenham Festival, Aintree’s three-day John Smith’s Grand National meeting, the Investec Derby Festival from Epsom Downs, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the entire Flat Season QIPCO British Champions Series and Day.
“I am excited by Channel 4’s plans for their coverage and the way in which they have committed to expanding the profile of jockeys, trainers and horses,” Clare adds. “I look forward to working with IMG Sports Media who have a high quality reputation for sports programming.”
So no suggestion that she won't be presenting sport on the BBC, and no suggestion that she will only be presenting the specific race meetings mentioned in the article.
In terms of where BBC Sport goes from here, I agree with the sentiments regarding showcasing Olympic sport - after the success and the public interest in these Games, don't hide stuff away on the Red Button. For a period of time only a few years ago, sports like swimming, cycling and gymnastics were appearing in prime time on BBC Two. Lets go back to that. And yes, it's a no brainer that Diamond League Athletics should be on BBC Two. In fact, when BBC Two is reduced to having world news and factual repeats during the day, it would be inexcusable for ANY sports coverage to be shoved on the Red Button. That goes for snooker, bowls, ice skating - anything. They have to make the absolute most of all of the events they have the rights to.
If the BBC had lost the Olympics, I'd be very worried about the future of its minority sports coverage. I'm slightly more optimistic now that they've held onto the rights.
In terms of presenters, I think we'll see an increase in the number of freelancers appearing across multiple channels. Let's face it, its already happening
- John Inverdale BBC/ITV
- Jill Douglas BBC/ITV
- Clare Balding Channel 4/BBC
- Gary Lineker BBC/Al Jazeera
Plus the countless reporters and commentators that are now appearing across a range of outlets.
The BBC have to consider their sports glass as half full, not half empty. Embrace the increased public interest and try and run with it through until Rio. Because we all know that, unlike some other broadcasters - if the BBC make a 'big deal' of an event, it will generate public interest.
Another point for optimism is Roger Mosey's appointment as Acting Director of BBC Vision. I've read that there's decent money on Mosey getting the job full time. So if there's been any truth in the rumours over the last few years that sport is not favoured by those at the top of the BBC, perhaps that may change soon enough.
There's been a lot of praise for Mr Mosey over the last few days but one person who very rarely gets a mention is BBC Sport's Head of Major Events, Dave Gordon, who's been orchestrating the Olympics coverage. This was his 10th Summer Olympics for the BBC. And what a job he's done . . .
