Michael Grade / ITV.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Nov 2006, 04:05

Anyone think that Michael Grades' move to ITV will have adverse effect on the boxing coverage there. Remember when he moved back as Chairman of the BBC in 2004 the boxing coverage pretty much stopped.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 28 Nov 2006, 05:56

Yes, he's not a fan. But viewing figures, as always, will determine if boxing stays on the schedule. It'll be tough for him to ditch something that's popular.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 28 Nov 2006, 06:38

Its bringing the number so i cant see him stopping it.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 28 Nov 2006, 11:51

Is it though? Granted the Calzaghe fight drew a huge audience, but does the usual stuff attract high figures? How much are ITV paying Warren anyway, must be a decent wedge to outbid Sky, or were Sky sick of Warren and the WBU tat we were usually served up?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Nov 2006, 11:56

Thats my worry abit Wales. I think Harrison very early pro fights did well on the Beeb, as did Khan's penultamate Amateur contest. I don't think the ratings were low for the other Beeb fights, considering their time slot.

Grade is not unfamiliar with controvesy and getting rid of rating hits. He originally Axed Doctor Who, when it was still popular (under Colin Baker) cause he didn't like the show (and cause he was porking Baker's ex wife). Eventually he "wilted" but made sure Baker was out of a job.

Info coutersy of Wikipedia.... I'm no Dr Who fanatic.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Nov 2006, 12:10

stujones wrote:Thats my worry abit Wales. I think Harrison very early pro fights did well on the Beeb, as did Khan's penultamate Amateur contest. I don't think the ratings were low for the other Beeb fights, considering their time slot.

Grade is not unfamiliar with controvesy and getting rid of rating hits. He originally Axed Doctor Who, when it was still popular (under Colin Baker) cause he didn't like the show (and cause he was porking Baker's ex wife). Eventually he "wilted" but made sure Baker was out of a job.

Info coutersy of Wikipedia.... I'm no Dr Who fanatic.

That's funny man, he was bonking Dr Who's wife.

Let's face it, boxing is not a rating's hit, so prepare for it's dissapearance from ITV, perhaps it will reappear at the BBC now the twat-face has left.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 28 Nov 2006, 12:26

allegedly TV anyone?

Channel 666 on sky ?

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 28 Nov 2006, 13:35

Lets be honest the return to boxing on ITV has been a bit of a shambles on the whole - how many cancelled main events have there been? And the hideous Williams v Skelton fights... its hardly been all rosy. Perhaps this might improve things as the fare served up by SN may need to be improved to remain on ITV? Lets hope so.

nufc16 · Post by **nufc16** » 28 Nov 2006, 17:40

itv boxing would be vastly better if they actually showed the full undercards. they have enough channels for god sake. im sure they could a cancel a double episode of poirot every now and again on itv4 to show the full bill, rather than highlights.

Flump · Post by **Flump** » 28 Nov 2006, 17:59

nufc16 wrote:itv boxing would be vastly better if they actually showed the full undercards. they have enough channels for god sake. im sure they could a cancel a double episode of poirot every now and again on itv4 to show the full bill, rather than highlights.

They could also throw in the occasional bit of relevant action from abroad to give the casual watcher some idea of where a British fighter might be headed for.

Though having said that I guess allegedly Frank would see to it that a WBU Incontinence title fight from Shitsville,Wisconsin was covered in readiness for a real WBU title fight involving a British fighter at a half empty leisure centre.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 28 Nov 2006, 18:25

Not with the pay he's getting off ITV!

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 29 Nov 2006, 14:57

Hopefully with Calzaghe and Khan drawing in the numbers this toff will spare out Boxing fix for a wee while longer.

Taki... · Post by **Taki...** » 29 Nov 2006, 15:02

nickd wrote:Lets be honest the return to boxing on ITV has been a bit of a shambles on the whole - how many cancelled main events have there been? And the hideous Williams v Skelton fights... its hardly been all rosy. Perhaps this might improve things as the fare served up by SN may need to be improved to remain on ITV? Lets hope so.

Skelton/Williams 1 was a good fight, 2 was hideous though... as was Williams/Fraudley.
I think ITV paid FW for Ricky Hatton, but got their fingers burnt when Ricky did a runner.