The BBC were horrific for RL, until Sky showed up.
The only full live 80 mins games we would get in the 1980's, would be the CCF and Test Matches. The remainder of their "coverage" would be a 5 mins highlights package of the first half, and live feed of the second. No interviews or highlights after the game, straight back to Des Lynam (who's HATE for RL couldn't have been more obvious) or Steve Ryder, who always looked like he'd rather be elsewhere.

As soon as Sky arrived, the Beeb's approach to our game improved, apart from the dropping of Alex Murphy as co-commentator, for a dull Aussie....Ross Strudwick, anyone?
As for coverage in the last few years, it's almost been a breath of fresh air. Despite obvious problems, Claire Balding always gave 100% interest, and Mark Chapman isn't too bad. Dave Woods is a good commentator, and I will watch the analysis on the Beeb, as there tends to be no real bias shown, unlike some Sports Broadcasters. The only thing I'd change, is the bringing back of Ray French. Not as a commentator (God forbid) but as an analyst. He's forgotten more in 5 minutea, than some on RL Fans will, in a lifetime. He would still do a job.

The only thing that still makes my pooh itch, is the way the Beeb's sports desks treat our game. Breakfast's coverage of Friday's gripping match, was Gidley's penalty. That's it. No tries, just a pen. Pee poor. Should we make their national bulletins, it's always a negative story. Sad, really.

In short, their coverage of our game over the last 30odd years, is comparable to Skoda cars,in the same timeline. Gone from appalling, to better than acceptable.

It's a bit sad really when the Floodlit Competition was set up to get BBC 2 off the ground in the 60s & there used to be regular coverage of league games in the 60s & 70s too with Eddie Waring commentating. It makes you wonder if there are too many RU bods rubbing shoulders with BBC bosses to ever get decent coverage again.

I don't think the toxic days of "the old school tie" brigade exist anymore, 9A, as the BBC hierarchy is full of middle-class lefties. What doesn't help RL, is sports desks have become far more Londoncentric, and the rising of so called minor sports across all forms of media and media companies. Women's football gets big coverage now, as does huge hype for both Summer and Winter Olympics. Rowing gets regular coverage, as does cycling. The Beeb spent millions on F1 (which they've now lost). There's only so much time they're prepared to give to sports.

Personally, I'd rather the BBC shut down during the daytime to save money (so we don't have to pay for Homes Under the Hammer, Cash in the Attic, etc), so more money can be spent on sport, but ho-hum, I can't see that happening

I suppose BBC 3 which is now an online channel for i don't know what would have been ideal as a fringe sport channel to at least give the masses a chance to sample "not main stream" sport free of charge.

Take your point very valid, i think everyone is as old as me

Yes they were.
They tried to compete with ITV's Wrestling programme which was on at the same time.
And thought that a jolly old northern sport where the participants were non to bright but pretty good chaps (as long as they remembered their place).
Would be just the job for the working chappies to watch on tv in their Working Men's club.
And it was fronted by Eddie(Mr "It's a Knockout" host)Waring
Things have really improved since then
Now sky seem to have adopted that attitude and the BBC show us lots more respect and it shows.
History lesson over

I think you guys need to put it into context a bit.
When I can't attend (due to the 2-3 hour travelling), I just want to see it on any platform.

I agree that both the Beeb and Sky coverage has it's faults but i'd rather have the faults and it shown on the box than not at all!

Beeb cutting to TS or Sims during the play was annoying. I want to see the match, but overall - read above !!

We could always do better, but RL fans just love knocking our sport and the support bodies.
BBC coverage was pretty damn good compared to the filler product it was used between ht and ft football score of the 80s like lefty reminds us, I'll add to that lefty....most games were already 5-10 min into the 2nd half too!

It's been a trend in both Football and Rugby for a few years now. Too many close ups, too many replays, too many shots of the crowd/subs/coach. Just show the game FFS.

The red button has been around for a long time now. You'd think they'd use it for things like no commentary and fixed cameras from behind the post or sidelines.