The BBC show second rate darts but no boxing

[mickey1975]

BBC don't have a clue about sports broadcasting period! Take the darts for example, why do they start showing the BDO Championships while their bigger, more popular competitor-the PDC Championship on Sky-is still running? It makes absolutely no sense. As the main broadcaster for the BDO Championships they would have a big say in when the tournament starts.

They would probably start showing the World Sumo Championships before they would consider boxing.

As long as I can remember it's been on at this time of the year. Is it really second rate so badly? Up until 2007 bdo had Raymond van Banrneveld who was the other best player in the world after Taylor. I don't ever watch pdc due to not having sky, the only game I've seen on there was the 2007 Taylor/Barneveld final, I have been watching Bdo for years though, is the quality that drastically different?

Yes,mate,it is vastly different.The likes of Barneveld really raised their game by playing regulary on the PDC circuit.I flicked on to a BDO game the other day and the 3 dart average was 77,on the PDC its often well over 100,in fact,Adrian Lewis lost with a 103 average.Its like pub darts by comparison

[Deno1986]

BBC don't have a clue about sports broadcasting period! Take the darts for example, why do they start showing the BDO Championships while their bigger, more popular competitor-the PDC Championship on Sky-is still running? It makes absolutely no sense. As the main broadcaster for the BDO Championships they would have a big say in when the tournament starts.

They would probably start showing the World Sumo Championships before they would consider boxing.

As long as I can remember it's been on at this time of the year. Is it really second rate so badly? Up until 2007 bdo had Raymond van Banrneveld who was the other best player in the world after Taylor. I don't ever watch pdc due to not having sky, the only game I've seen on there was the 2007 Taylor/Barneveld final, I have been watching Bdo for years though, is the quality that drastically different?

I think the quality difference is massive because most of the guys in the PDC have to try and raise it to Taylors level, most of them are full time pro. I'm not knocking the BDO, I still tend to watch it because I grew up watching it. My point about the BBC is why do they show the BDO at the same time as the PDC? I always presumed it started the week after the PDC finished but could be wrong. Any person with a brain in the organisation would know that they are not going to maximise viewing figures by showing it at the same time so it just shows what sort of people they have in the organisation dealing with sports-not a clue. So I could just imagine what they are saying about boxing in the BBC.

[stujones]

The only reason why there is "depth" with the PDC is because of the money - they "poach" the star players. The BDO is in charge of like the county level players - the up and comers... then when they arrive - the money comes in. More dart players are affilated with the BDO - just when they reach the top, they get poached.

I guess the best scenario would be if they did accept Barry Hearns offer - although that means the end of alot of tradition. The BDO and lakeside is the history.

[Deno1986]

The only reason why there is "depth" with the PDC is because of the money - they "poach" the star players. The BDO is in charge of like the county level players - the up and comers... then when they arrive - the money comes in. More dart players are affilated with the BDO - just when they reach the top, they get poached.

I guess the best scenario would be if they did accept Barry Hearns offer - although that means the end of alot of tradition. The BDO and lakeside is the history.

The BDO Championship reminds me of a group of trial matches for the PDC. I hate doing it but when I watch the BDO and I see a decent player I always say to myself that he would look good in the PDC.

I don't think they should join up with Barry Hearn, BDO is the grassroots of darts as you implied. They just need to step up with the marketing and production of the event and make it more attractive to players by offering incentives to stay with them. Watching it reminds me of a dark, dusty pub with a few drink fuelled lads playing darts. It needs a massive revamp and its sad to say but a move away from Frimley Green would be a good start.

[Wales]

The only reason why there is "depth" with the PDC is because of the money - they "poach" the star players. The BDO is in charge of like the county level players - the up and comers... then when they arrive - the money comes in. More dart players are affilated with the BDO - just when they reach the top, they get poached.

I guess the best scenario would be if they did accept Barry Hearns offer - although that means the end of alot of tradition. The BDO and lakeside is the history.

A tournament will still take place at Lakeside and will still eb televised on the BBC. I have reservations as to whether the stars of the PDC will be in this tournament, or whether they'll make it, say, and under 25's tournament or something.

your post makes it sound a little as if the PDC are doing something wrong stu?

[stujones]

Sorry, I do find it frustrating that two "world" championships go on at the same time. I find it similar to boxing and the ring magazine belt. It must be frustrating for fighters like Tim Bradley getting the "traditional" belt/s but not being classed "the man". Refreshing to hear fighters like Froch cherish his WBC belt.

I do wonder sometimes, in the years when we have had a terrible sporting year - would someone like Phil Taylor have been a realistic chance at winning the Sport Personality prize had he been playing on the BBC with everyone. A few years ago, when the BDO had Barney and a few more - it was concerned an equal - except for Taylor. You took Taylor out of the averages, and the rest were very similar to that in the BDO. Lots of pub players who I talked too thought Phil might not have been as successful if he faced the likes of Barney, Martin Adams etc year in year out.

Although not saying the PDC are doing anything out of order - if the money is there, then go for the money.

[Wales]

To be fair though mate he was facing just as good a calibre of opposition in the over the years PDC, the likes of Colin Lloyd, Dennis Priestley, Peter Manley etc… easy to say might maybe and could, but at the end of the day taylor is a phenomenal player, head and shoulders above anyone else in the world. Nobody comes close, and hasn’t done for years.

BDO has let the world pass them by. Mark Webster received less prize money for coming 3rd in a field packed with stars than he received for winning the BDO. So why didn’t he stay? Quite simply the PDC has more opportunities for big prize money, and as such players would be daft not to switch over. Plus you always want to play against the best don’t you. I don’t understand why, with 4m viewers, the BBC didn’t try to show other tournaments across the UK. Instead the PDC stepped in with Vegas classic, premier league (the elite darts tournament in the world) and the grand prix … there are a couple more this season too.

I expect the BDO will either fold or sell up by this time next year to be honest.

[stujones]

To be fair though mate he was facing just as good a calibre of opposition in the over the years PDC, the likes of Colin Lloyd, Dennis Priestley, Peter Manley etc… easy to say might maybe and could, but at the end of the day taylor is a phenomenal player, head and shoulders above anyone else in the world. Nobody comes close, and hasn’t done for years.

BDO has let the world pass them by. Mark Webster received less prize money for coming 3rd in a field packed with stars than he received for winning the BDO. So why didn’t he stay? Quite simply the PDC has more opportunities for big prize money, and as such players would be daft not to switch over. Plus you always want to play against the best don’t you. I don’t understand why, with 4m viewers, the BBC didn’t try to show other tournaments across the UK. Instead the PDC stepped in with Vegas classic, premier league (the elite darts tournament in the world) and the grand prix … there are a couple more this season too.

I expect the BDO will either fold or sell up by this time next year to be honest.

Completely agree,

I don't blame the likes of Webster - money is better, now the standard is better (not just Taylor) he is young and ambitious. When "stalward" Mervin King upped and left, that signalled the end for me - it really highlighted how behind with the times the BDO is. I do really admire Martin Adams' loyality though.

The PDC has done wonders for the sport, it really has.

[dondada]

The BBC could get amateur boxing for very little.

[stujones]

The BBC could get amateur boxing for very little.

My own personal view is that there isn't a big enough audience for the amateur game outside of the Olympics.

I think the BBC have (over the years) tried the amateur game, but just found it not a ratings winner - it went from a regular(ish) late evening (but quite highly publicised) slot on Sports Night, to a grave yard slot and I think the last ABA's shown on the BBC were a red button only job.

We in Wales get the WABA's shown annually on BBC Wales - however, I've noticed less and less is being spent on advertising this event - it is clear they don't cost alot, at the same time it would indicate that this isn't a massive ratings winner. Again, its gone from a 10 pm (ish) slot, to delayed at around 11:30.

I would have liked to have seen the BBC done a "better hash" when they had that HBO deal a few years ago - it was deemed a disaster, but was it really given a chance?

[Tommy Gunn13]

The BDO(bbc darts) aint even fit to play wiv the PDC(sky darts) not being funny i aint a bad darts player&i can beat half off them on my day...no better than pub darts.....BBC NEEDS TO SORT IT OUT!!!!

[Tommy Gunn13]

The BDO(bbc darts) aint even fit to play wiv the PDC(sky darts) not being funny i aint a bad darts player&i can beat half off them on my day...no better than pub darts.....BBC NEEDS TO SORT IT OUT!!!!

earlier in the thread i compared it to the difference between Premier league and 2nd division football, however this year with the averages its more like premiership-Blue Square

Yes just looked back in the thread,ur right they the bbc pay for darts pub darts aswell&the boat race there a joke.....but no boxing...

[Deno1986]

Looks like the first Boxrec Darts Championship is on the way!

[Tommy Gunn13]

im not great but on my day i aint to bad&could beat a few of the bdo players....makes me laugh how the commentators talk there the best is the world(as u know the averages in the pdc are far better) i did here Barry hearn tried to buy them out but Olly croft wouldnt have it....

[Tommy Gunn13]

bring it on

Lets have it

[Tommy Gunn13]

im not great but on my day i aint to bad&could beat a few of the bdo players....makes me laugh how the commentators talk there the best is the world(as u know the averages in the pdc are far better) i did here Barry hearn tried to buy them out but Olly croft wouldnt have it....

Olly Croft is the problem, i read the Sid widdel (spelling) book and he wasnt painted in the best light.

It seems the Boxrec darts tour is on, first leg in great yarmouth followed by Spain o course the Spainsh matches will be at 2pm in August to allow me to take advantage of the conditions

Can we play it all in spain,could do with a holiday......LETS PLAY DARTS

[FLINT ISLAND]

I could beat Phil "The Power" Taylor in Darts easy D

[Chris W 1982]

Beebs a joke.

They had everything in place earlier this decade and didnt have a clue what to do with it.

David Walker turned into Arturo Gatti and they had a virtual monopoly on the domestic Heavy scene.

They balls'd them both up.

Haye is perhaps our most recognisable peronality, it amazes me that all his early fights were on BBC.

[FLINT ISLAND]

No money for boxing eh ?

Anyone see the sun newspaper today - they recently blew in the millions of license payers money on some tacky art work to do up their headquarters.

Our money - but it didnt benefit what we see on TV - just made them have nice scenry at work.

Even one of the artists employed to do it said it was a total waste of public money.

[Chris W 1982]

No money for boxing eh ?

Anyone see the sun newspaper today - they recently blew in the millions of license payers money on some tacky art work to do up their headquarters.

Our money - but it didnt benefit what we see on TV - just made them have nice scenry at work.

Even one of the artists employed to do it said it was a total waste of public money.

Ran by middle class idiots who have no idea what the working class require.

[FLINT ISLAND]

No money for boxing eh ?

Anyone see the sun newspaper today - they recently blew in the millions of license payers money on some tacky art work to do up their headquarters.

Our money - but it didnt benefit what we see on TV - just made them have nice scenry at work.

Even one of the artists employed to do it said it was a total waste of public money.

Ran by middle class idiots who have no idea what the working class require.

The Beeb responded to complaints of customers not getting what they want by with a patronsing response of

"Normal people dont understand what it takes to run such a company"

So they cant even relate to "normal" people - but we still have to pay them our money to use as they see fit.

[Chris W 1982]

Traditionalist wankers who are stuck in their ways.

Cast ya mind back to 03/04. They had Williams, Hide, Harrison, Sprott and Long. The fights and tourneys available there could have set them up for 5 years.

It frustrates me that they wont listen to reason.

I wonder if Abrams and Bunce had any input at all other than jus pundits?

The Beeb could learn so much just from reading these forums.

[Chris W 1982]

Bunce may come across loud in his approach but the guy has an unrivalled passion for boxing.

His knowledge, both pro and amateur is unreal.

[Captain Hook]

Darts is a great watch!

..and to be fair you don't get half of them pulling out at the last minute! Or changing their opponent the day before, or getting fucked in the ass by promoters :)

[Captain Hook]

How did that get through when you get the word POOP instead of sh*t!