Good point. RL will always be 2nd rate to broadcasters, at least for the next decade anyway. I mean the SL show was on at something daft like 5:15 am the other day, wtf
Sky have the power to mess us fans about with fixtures changes but they are still way more committed than the BBC are showing. I think the BBC need to show RL more respect or just don't bother at all.

The Beeb could be a thing of the past anyway.

The Challenge Cup has been removed from the protected events list, and if rlthis articlerl is anything to go by, or more specifically the line... [i"The rethink has been timed to coincide with the unveiling of a new title sponsor and TV deal."[/i, then something is certainly happening on the TV front.

Personally I'd like to see it on ITV4. After the digital switchover on 7th September everyone will have access to that channel anyway and their Aviva Premiership coverage is pretty good.

Wow, I never knew it was so hard to change channels

This would be a pretty quite place if people didn't discuss the wider implications of an event.

If nobody watches it why go for someone with no personallity whatsoever and Noble as opposed to one of RL's greatest characters in the post war years and someone who has played at an elite level for clubs, country and Nation in two different codes of the game?

I simply refuse to watch anything that's not in HD or 3D these days so I guess I'll be watching the 1st half only. Fortunately, the opposition is only the Crusaders so it'll be game over by half time anyway.

Easy...

Because Woods actually commentates on the game, and gets it right (in the most part).
And Noble watches the sport week in, week out, and knows what's going on.

Whilst French, as wonderful as he is as a character, just can't do the job any more
and Davies doesn't even follow RL, and it shows. He just isn't in touch with the game.

Last year, Davies said (on Ryan Hall)... "This kid will turn into a fantastic try scorer one day... mark my words!" Excellent insight Jonathan, especially given that he said it a whole year and a half after Ryan finished as Super League's leading try scorer.

I've only ever seen one RL match in 3D. Wasn't overly impressed if I'm honest. Don't really get the 3D hype. Not yet anyway, I'll get on board when it's a bit more developed.

Wow, really ? You must have been one of the very first with a video recorder in 1979 I reckon.

I got mine in 1983 and recall it was the day Hull beat Wakefield in a cup-tie at the Boulevard en route to their near-annual trip to Wembley in those days.

I think Ray French is ace. He rambles a bit, gets the odd name wrong and all that, but he's like RL's Murray Walker. For me he was the voice of RL when I was growing up (not so some of our older forumites, but never mind) and it feels a bit wrong to have somebody else doing it. How many years of service has he given to RL now? Respect due IMO. Was he not also a dual-code international? You won't get many commentary teams where both parts of it can say that. Plus, how else am I going to find out how much everyone weighs and which amateur club they played for?

Davies' voice annoys me, and he tends to be a bit negative for my taste, but he knows his onions. That said, I quite like Noble as a pundit as well. I always enjoy John Kear's stints on Radio Leeds/5 Live too.

If all else fails, Eorl Crabtree is surprisingly good value when he does that gig on the radio too. Probably the best player-punidt I've heard recently.

Oh, and I don't understand the obsession with HD and 3D. I'm sure one day everything will be broadcast in HD, and that'll be fine, although greater clarity of individual blades of grass does little to enhance my viewing of sport. 3D leaves me completely cold, and I hope it's a passing fad.

Yes really.

DER Rentals on Church Lane, Pudsey.

I've no idea what it is now although obviously it won't be DER. Maybe one of the current Pudsey Mafia that frequent the boards will know though. Next to Boots in the market place. That's if Boots is still there.

I got a Ferguson Videostar (VHS) while my mate got a Sony C3 or C5 (Betamax) can't remember which now. I know I thought his recorded in better quality to mine though.

French I can half get on board with. I prefer Woods style, French is a bit old-hat for me, but I can listen to him a lot more than I can Eddie! I do have Respect for French, never said I didn't, I just think he's a bit past it.

But Davies... no thanks.