You've just filled the 15/20 minutes before the players come out.

Seriously, I worked with the production team during the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, you'd be amazed how hard it is to fill time.

And the QOS before our Final was just embarassing.

Past great from both clubs. My point is that there will be a hell of a lot of people watching the program who do not follow Rugby League other then the BBC coverage. It would be great to have a ten minute segment on both Lee Briers and Brett Hodgson.

How about showing both sides arriving at the famous ground? That will get the blood flowing.

Instead we will go straight across to the teams in the tunnel be told it is a hot/breezy/whatever type day with kick off immenent!

10 Minutes on Briers and Hodgson, I can't think of anything more likely to get people switching off.

I know people wont like the opinion (hey, Standee in unpopular opinion shocker ) but there is no mileage in an extended preview for the CC final outside people who are already supporters, the BBC simply need to hook people in, get them to watch and know full well that the majority will probably switch over to Sky and watch Man U v Arsenal as soon as the final whistle goes.

Remember, the BBC can't even fill Grandstand anymore!

and here he ishttp://m2002.thecgf.com/webinclude/images/thegames/newkit.jpg" >

lol

I never wore the suit actually, most of my VTM's did at some point though.

Eorl Crabtree was a guest on Chris Evans' Radio 2 drive time show this week, specifically talking about the CC Final.

As one of the top sporting events of the year that is protected from being shown exclusively on Sky I think the BBC should treat it accordingly and start the programme more than 20mins before kick off.

I agree and I also believe a bigger audience will watch the game not just hardened RL fans.

Yes. On a national level the Challenge Cup final is still our games biggest event. Far bigger than the Grand Final i would suggest.
I want to see the players leaving the hotel, arriving at the stadium, doing the pre-match walkabout. It all adds to the occasion and builds up the excitement for mine.
I also want to see the full game of the schoolboys playing for the Steven Mullaney trophy and the community signing.

I'm down south and i've seen the ad for the game about 100 times this week. They are definitely promoting it well.

As for the build up, i agree it's a BIT short, but TBH I can't stand it when they get some northern poet to read some £ poem over the hovis advert theme whilst showing black and white images of smokey chimneys and grimey little boys wearing flat caps - It's BULL****

Rugby League is all about entertainment - Non stop full blooded action - and i'll be drinking a toast to that at 2:10 on sat (or later if Bernies rolling traffic jam is delayed!)

of course they should flash the football scores on screen,at about 3 in the morning when we are all asleep.

It's a national ad. We are getting it in the Midlands and I've seen it on BBC N. Ireland. A pretty good ad aswell I think!

I'd imagine so, it's free!

Yes, as an RL Fan that is understandable, but the vast majority of non RL fans just want the game. (and a hell of a lot of RL fans too).

And why on earth do I want to watch the kids?