The Boat Race Has Been Axed

[platypus]

Sad news, but ITV have dropped the Boat Race because they cant afford it.

It's been dropped from the governments protected sport list, which means it's no longer required to be on free-to-air.

Like it or loathe rowing, the boat race is an institution which is a fantastic thing to watch. I hope the BBC rescue it.

 

[VonClinkerhofen]

I heard someone talking about this on the radio earlier in the week...

apparently it get upwards of 8 million viewers every year

 

[Furton]

I thought it was always on the BBC, when did ITV get there dirty hands on it?

 

[schumi84]

I thought it was always on the BBC, when did ITV get there dirty hands on it?

I'm not too sure when they first got it and how many they have aired, however surely they should have loads of money now they dont have the F1 any more

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

however surely they should have loads of money now they dont have the F1 any more

Unfortunately commercial TV in this country is in a bad way as advertising revenue falls; it's estimated that Channel 4 will no-longer be viable within five years unless drastic action is taken, and that's based on pre-credit crunch figures.

 

[RaMDOM]

BBC should grab it surely?

 

[Eatchipz]

I personally dont find it intresting . How long does the race last though?

 

[platypus]

Roughly 17 minutes.

 

[elroberto]

Surely the BBC will just pick it back up if ITV won't do it

 

[Greenlizard0]

Unfortunately commercial TV in this country is in a bad way as advertising revenue falls; it's estimated that Channel 4 will no-longer be viable within five years unless drastic action is taken, and that's based on pre-credit crunch figures.

Yea it was in The Times yesterday, apparently the Beeb are talking about merging/taking it over.

In all honesty, C4 brought us Big Brother. May it rot in hell.

 

[Father Ted]

Can't say I'll miss it particularly, haven't watched it in years. Just don't find it interesting.

 

[Snakedoctor]

Nice legs, shame about the boat race.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Yea it was in The Times yesterday, apparently the Beeb are talking about merging/taking it over.

They would transfer BBC Worldwide to C4. Worldwide the is the commercial arm (wholly owned subsidiary) which sells rights to BBC programmes around the world, owns Lonely Planet and owns 51% of 2Entertain (along with Woolies). It's also responsible for iPlayer.

It makes about £100m a year profit so it would be a healthy injection to C4.

 

[RaMDOM]

In all honesty, C4 brought us Big Brother. May it rot in hell.

Endorsed.

 

[semi-pro waster]

I don't watch the Boat Race every year but it would be a pity if it wasn't shown at all as it can be quite a spectacle.

 

[G|mp]

The BBC have just spunked most of their budget on the F1 so I can't see them going for it.

I've heard rumours of channel 4 going for it

 

[Father Ted]

Only if they can fill the boats with 'Z' list celebs and wannabes.

 

[Stretch]

Sad news, but ITV have dropped the Boat Race because they cant afford it.

It's been dropped from the governments protected sport list, which means it's no longer required to be on free-to-air.

Like it or loathe rowing, the boat race is an institution which is a fantastic thing to watch. I hope the BBC rescue it.

The only intresting part is the result

 

[Morba]

so the race hasnt actually been axed?
just ITV not covering it..

hardly that much of a problem surely

 

[atpbx]

In the words of Steve : "WHO CARES".

We dont get to watch some old americans having a rowing race. I'm sure we will get over it.
P.S I am aware of what the boat race is, if you pick me up on the american bit, you obviously dont.