What next for sport on the BBC?

The news today from the BBC that they are cutting their spending on sports broadcasting rights by a further 15% poses questions for the millions of sports fans in the UK who rely on the Beeb providing them with their live TV and radio sport.

The reduction announced today includes confirmation that the BBC will share with BSkyB the rights to Formula One after the current exclusive contract ends. How this will work remains to be seen, but it is thought that each round of the F1 season will be screened exclusively by one of the broadcasters, with the other taking highlights.

Picture courtesy autoblog.com

As early as March this year, motor sports commentators were moved to spell out the move away from exclusive rights for the BBC when the current contract ends in 2013, and it is thought that this will only lead to a stronger market share for BSkyB in the sports broadcasting portfolio.

The same announcement also states that there will be reductions "to some smaller sports events". Without being specific in any way, it does state that sports that are "listed events" or those which "bring the nation together"will remain with the Corporation.


The BBC Trust were moved to reassure the public with an announcement to allay fears that there would be the loss of significant sporting coverage -

Sports coverage plays a major role on the BBC’s main television channels, and is central to delivering some of the BBC’s public purposes. However the acquisition of sports rights can be expensive, and BBC management has identified an ambition to save 15 per cent in this area. While it is not for the Trust to decide which individual sports rights are bought by the BBC, we have ensured BBC management’s approach is guided by the strategic principles we have set in this area: that, subject to value for money and affordability, the BBC should continue to prioritise those sports and events which have greatest national resonance, and in particular the events listed by the Government, as well as providing an outlet for minority sports

Although the BBC will be keeping its 'crown jewels', a worrying part of the announcement was that as well as the reduction in spending on sports rights, it also announced today that there will be a reduction in local sports coverage in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For sports fans in these countries, the access to local broadcasting is a necessity that just cannot be replaced by central UK-wide sports reporting.

Picture courtesy racingdiary.co.uk

A further confirmation of the importance which the BBC places on sports output, was that BBC Two would be the main home of live sport for the Corporation.

While that is fine for a late night finish at the World Snooker Championship, will it be good enough for the FA Cup Final, or the Men's Final at Wimbledon (or the Women's Final, for that matter)?

Although television sport is a major player in the BBC's portfolio, radio has a major part to play in its standing as a top quality producer of live sports broadcasts.

Today's announcement has said that Radio 5 Live, although continuing to "Maintain sport output at current levels", will reduce its costs through sending smaller production teams to outside events. It remains to be seen whether this will have an effect on the quality of broadcasts. We shall wait and see.