Do you remember the early days of Sky Sports? They raised the bar for football coverage on television, which had been limited in the scope of cameras deployed, production skills and incident analysis. When Sky arrived, the number of cameras at a game went from two to 12. Time was dedicated to the pre-match build-up and you were learning things about the game from analysts, who knew more than you.
We liked Sky, they put money into our game and gave us a more enjoyable viewing experience. There was what media people call brand affinity with the broadcaster. Let’s remember where we were before that time. As recently as 1995, Charlie Nicholas co-commentated for 15 minutes telling us the score was Rangers 1-1 Celtic, when the Rangers goal had been disallowed for offside. An entire match production team at Ibrox didn’t know the score.
While Sky continued to improve the quality of their premium output, their efforts at delivering Scottish football content has dropped off a cliff. Even those who work with the broadcaster tell me they are not interested in our game, an insight that scarcely needs to be stated.
Yesterday’s announcement by Sky that they secured rights to the SPFL for five seasons, pushing out BT Sport in the process, was Ratner-esque in the delivery of a business message. The graphic featured Brendan Rodgers, a Celtic crest, Steven Gerrard and a Newco crest. The message was clear: there are only two teams in this league we care about. Even I was offended, despite my team featuring. Consider where brand affinity is now.
We will all miss BT Sport, especially big Chris, but I’m not sharing the love with them. Their production standards were excellent, but if they were not prepared to pay for the product, they cannot retain the rights. The League only has discretion on these matters if the difference in bids is marginal, which it was not on this occasion.
So we are left with Sky, who still employ Charlie Nicholas, and who has never been short of a word (unless asked to contribute to a cause by Celtic), but has never provided insight into anything. Ever. And there’s Andy Walker, who sent viewers off air telling them Celtic still had work to do to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, despite the whole of Europe knowing they secured just that. People who do not know the score of a game they are commentating on, and do not know why 60,000 people are celebrating a result! This is their business, and they know less about it than you.
I hope the money Sky have put in means they will take us more seriously but I remain to be convinced. Stay tuned for five long years of mindless stating of the obvious, or ill-informed speculation about schisms masquerading as value-added insight. Is it any wonder the new media find such a fertile audience? Andy Gray must be spinning in his misogynist-bordello-themed 7am pub.
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DAVID66 on 20TH NOVEMBER 2018 5:04 PM
Good evening CQN from a freezing Garngad
With regards the sky advert, can BR not sue sky for using his image as surely he would not agree to be in the background to a rookie manager.??
D. :)
Auldheid,
I note Phil is now claiming Kudos for being part of the creation of Res12, you couldn’t mark it with a blow torch.
Any get together after AGM?
why do celtic tv not allow games to be televised in the uk, I would gladly pay for celtic tv no matter the cost ,okay within reason,? what about you ghuys.hh.
My son’s information earlier information was correct, Michael Johnston has signed a long term contract with us .
Mikey Johnston new deal till 2023
Connor Roberts playing RB for Wales, we are rumoured to be in for him
RAYC on 20TH NOVEMBER 2018 6:10 PM
Any get together after AGM?
I heard that PL is having everyone back to his place afterwards for drinks.
:)
Team sheet latest……………James Forrest
mike, if he is he might need a lawyer.?
Dallas Dallas / Bada
I blame Peter Lawwell
Thanks Mike but think there is more chance of a pint from you in Toronto?
92nd
Bournesouprecipe, that Lawwell character is selfish wanting his name attached to all the good and not so good the club does lol
Dallas,
I was at the Barcelona game in 2004 and I remember it as being an Erie experience. The minute silence was impeccably respected by our support as the impact of the Madrid bombings was still just being absorbed.
To this day I cannot forget the disgusting behaviour of a large section of the away support. I lost all sympathy and respect for Barcelona from that day. Rightly or wrongly it has prejudiced my view of Catalonia .
HH.
Dundee Utd v Alloa tonight. Didn’t believe one of my work colleagues when he told me.
Who arranged that fixture?
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/hardcore-defenders/
There is a lot of uncertainty about the future of our defenders. But we do have a strong core. Here are the numbers that show.
Did McGregor actually receive a lifetime ban for International games for boozegate and, if so, when was it rescinded? Did I miss the teary-eyed apology?
Deniabhoy 7:25
Absolutely. I think the “lifetime” part must have referred to the lifetime of the club he was playing for at the time!
He’s got a fur lined sheepskin jacket
My ma said they cost a packet
She won’t even let me explain
Ive had to changemyname – Go for it!!!
Sorry pal, I was setting you up for the 100.
lost JTM, onto neil diamond now
Glasstwothirds
Hahaha. Absolutely. Huns die, McGregor’s life time ban dies.
YNWA
Brilliant goal Beram Kayal.
Allan McGregor, deary me.
Hunskelper Kayal.
YNWA
Oh dear
Kayal (ex Celt) scores for Israel
Great positioning by the hun?
McLeish gets the team on the back foot and price is paid – making Israel look like Brazil
Apparently it was Callum McGregor’s fault
Fletcher Is a man down to start with
Pog
McGregor is the most overrated goalkeeper ever. Wonder why the SMSM rate this fud so highly? Mmmm
There’s more people in my living room than there is at Hampden and I’m in here myself. FTSFA have destroyed Scottish football for the sake of the huns (dead and alive)
Exciting stuff on display, camera pans to a Jewish gentleman reading the Torah.
JinkyRS
With McLeish, we are a man down.
YNWA
DD, The Hun is just staring out of McGregor. He will work for the BBC soon enough.
DD,
You going to Hamilton on Saturday?
Great play Stuart Armstrong.
Great shot Calmac.
Great save Israeli goalie.
DD – tonight big Eck gives you the rabbit in the headlights approach
Maybe the players will override him