http://www.therfl.co.uk/localradioreview
Changes to BBC Local Radio: Implications for Rugby League
The BBC is holding two public consultations on the local radio services it provides and is asking people to submit their thoughts.
If all the proposals in the consultation are enacted, it will have a potentially devastating impact on all sport and – as one of the most community-focussed games in the UK – on Rugby League in particular.
Consequences of the Proposals
If the proposals suggested by the BBC are put in place, it would result in the following:
• The loss of local programmes on weekday afternoons, with programmes being shared with neighbouring stations;
• The loss of all local programming between 7pm and 10pm. This means the end of any sports magazine shows, in-depth discussion about sport and the opportunity to have opinions heard, engage with clubs, officials and others involved in the game;
• Significant loss of live commentary as there will be a massive reduction in the number of games covered and with the reduction in the number of commentators at games that are broadcast any local flavour disappears;
• The loss of all local programming between 1am until the start of the breakfast show. All stations would broadcast Radio 5 Live;
• The loss of a wide number of locally-split breakfast programmes; and
• Huge costs to any local station that wants to offer live coverage of more than one game matches of any sport as stations will be charged to use the medium wave
What can I do to get involved?
The RFL will be responding directly to the BBC and we encourage all clubs, leagues and fans of Rugby League to send in a response.
1. If you want to respond to the consultations online, we have prepared some answers to the questions asked. You can cut and paste into the website and send.
2. If you want to write to your local MP, we have prepared a template letter for you to complete and send.
In all cases, you can add any of your own comments.
Alternatively, you can write in your own words to the BBC at local.radio.review@bbc.co.uk or
Local Radio Review
BBC Trust
180 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5QZ
The deadline for responses to both consultations is midnight on 21st December 2011.
Details of both consultations can be found here: www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/local_radio.shtml or individually in the downloadable documents on this page.
BBC wants to take sport off the radio
Re: BBC wants to take sport off the radio
If this goes ahead, maybe the RFL will have to fight their corner to get on national radio more, rather than just local.
After all, the BBCs response to complaints of lack of coverage are often based around availability of coverage in the areas that have a high concentration of intereset. This would no longer be available to them, so we would be able to make an argument purely based on numbers rather than geographical spread.
After all, the BBCs response to complaints of lack of coverage are often based around availability of coverage in the areas that have a high concentration of intereset. This would no longer be available to them, so we would be able to make an argument purely based on numbers rather than geographical spread.
Re: BBC wants to take sport off the radio
Seeing as GMR won an award for the the presentation of RL with Jack Dearden and co on a thursday 7- 9
will now this be lost?
will now this be lost?
Re: BBC wants to take sport off the radio
Nevermind at least they never show any repeats or a load of second rate tossers dancing and wearing stupid costumes and only produce programs that engage and entertain us with thought provoking intelligent content!
Re: BBC wants to take sport off the radio
The biggest loss will be no commentry of the games especially for those Wigan speccies from far flung places who relied on GMR'S commentry over the internet .
Re: BBC wants to take sport off the radio
It would also be a major negative to lose the midweek "magazine-style" programmes, that R. M/cr was particularly good at.
These were the fans chances to interact with the team of presenters, on all topics covering RL. We would also miss the interviews and studio guests including the games administrators, coaches, players & media journalists.
Soccer & Union would not suffer as badly 'cos their sport is widely covered Nationally, so would still get their "fix", whereas we would lose what little media coverage we do get presently, as the nationals would have to reduce their soccer/ru to add space for RL - and that is hardly likely looking at the way they've treated us historically.
This would be a major setback for us, so please get those keyboards busy or we are in serious danger of losing vital oxygen for our sport.
These were the fans chances to interact with the team of presenters, on all topics covering RL. We would also miss the interviews and studio guests including the games administrators, coaches, players & media journalists.
Soccer & Union would not suffer as badly 'cos their sport is widely covered Nationally, so would still get their "fix", whereas we would lose what little media coverage we do get presently, as the nationals would have to reduce their soccer/ru to add space for RL - and that is hardly likely looking at the way they've treated us historically.
This would be a major setback for us, so please get those keyboards busy or we are in serious danger of losing vital oxygen for our sport.