totally agree, the 2000 World Cup started on the BBC with John Inverdale sat smugly in a studio in some Irish backwater with 300 people and a couple of dogs in the stadium.

Can you post the minutes seeing as you were obviously in the meeting.

I think a small positive on the lesser games is that it may come across better in a highlights package to the uninitiated as a highlights package than a live game. Lets face there are going to be a few games which are a procession, there always is. I would hope that a well produced highlights package shows a couple of games in a better light. That all games will at least have a highlights package is a good thing.

The bbc also have the option of a further 13 games, I hope they go for them, I think having 19 games over 6 weeks live on the bbc, even if some of them are only on bb3 or whatever, would be great. I also hope they show the Italy wales games which kicks off the tournament and the 2nd semi-final.

Also, just so people are aware, Sky did bid for the tournament, they did want it. Their bid was rejected.

How do you know that information?

word on the street innit

I don’t know if it has been reported anywhere. Ill have a look for you though

The three non-BBC quarter finals and the non-BBC semi-fiinal will not be "lesser games."

They may not be "lesser games" but dependant on who is in them they could well be very one sided and so not likely to create much enthusiasm, particularly the semi final not involving England. If the draw throws up an interesting tie like Wales v Ireland/Scotland or Fiji v PNG that is likely to be close and/or entertaining then I would expect said ties to be taken up by the BBC (as part of the optional extra ties they have). Watching Australia or NZ hand out an 80 point hammering to amateur/ part time players would not make good tv or a good impression to the curious non RL fans watching.

The other thing they should do is work with the BBC to get RL stars on other BBC shows in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. Get the players on the One Show, the endless shows about Cooking, buying houses, buying antiques and the rest of the tat the BBC shows during the day...just one mention of 'I'm an RL player and I'm playing for England in the world cup next month' gets us exposure to millions of non-RL fans and should help viewing figures if not ticket sales. Its in the BBC's interest to promote the World Cup this way too.

They might still be on the BBC yet.

Superb idea!
Why even wait till the few weeks beforehand? Get them on now! Send our best looking lads out to the One Show, saturday Kitchen et al.
Strike whilst the irons hot!

absolutely. Look at whats his face on 'Take me out'. The only one to ever have no lights out. Thats a league player for you, use em.

Jordan James. I think he was the last one on in the series though, probably had some girls leave their lights on for a free holiday as it was their last chance

SL: has one of the best sports channel viewing figures which gets SKY interested because of advertising revenue it can attract

WC: SKY have the real viewing figures from previous events and there just aren't enough big games (add to that England don't do well) to attract advertisers and therefore Sky aren't prepared to pay big money

Overall it may be good for the game as 'free' certainly removes one barrier to getting the audience. Also good for the BBC as, lets face it, they are fast running out of major sports to cover.

Not sure how much the BBC/premier sports will have paid to broadcast games, but it seems the RFL have got £750,000 from the Welsh for playing the opener in Cardiff, great work These are the funds being used to pay part of Andy Powell's wage. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... ds-newsxml

Not sure how much the BBC/premier sports will have paid to broadcast games, but it seems the RFL have got £750,000 from the Welsh for playing the opener in Cardiff, great work These are the funds being used to pay part of Andy Powell's wage. www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... ds-newsxml

Proof?