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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I fancy Dabour to make it 3-3.
Norrie M
May I add my prayers and condolences to you and your family on the sad loss of your Mother, hope everything went as well as possible for you all today. RIP Mrs McCabe.
Think all of us of a certain age have seen this movie before – hopefully we can break the pattern
Gene
Remember years ago, a quiz question. Last player to score a hat trick for Scotland?
Colin Stein in 60s was the answer. Against Cyprus I think?
Canny remember any hat trick for Scotland since then.
YNWA
Did big red change a winning team ?
Better get Jamsie playing centre half I think.
Tartan army sing a new song for wee Jamesie – coming down the road (or somethin’)
Fair hill BHOY
Yes he did
Ffs can Jamsie play in goals, Mchun having a mare.
BSR
and against Eire anaw :-)
Why have the Huns got to be brought into everything!who cares who scored x amount of goals ??
D.D.
Snodgrass scored a hat trick against Malta in the 5.1 game, believe it or not Paddy told me that at t.time.
It was the first question at a quiz with Peter Martin that he was at on Sun.
Hail Hail
Oh look! Peter pointing
Credit Mchun there great save.
McGregor (A) has the look of someone who’s coupon is in danger
At least that save will stop Crocker banging on about Colin Stein.
Oh dear – it s coming
TEUCHTER AR LA
Thats funny.
It’s his major strength.
12 minutes injury time?
Like I said earlier,good goal Celtic
Don’t bother thanking us eck ?
Scottish Player scored 3 v Gibraltar.Cant remember who.Maybe Fletcher?
Bedtime ?
Jnp-is that the Peter who changed his name from mc??????
JNP
Thanks pal. Remember now.
Great show by James tonight.
Scotland win group.
Thanks to James Forrest.
YNWA
Scotland win
Israellights oot
Fairhill Bhoy 9.38.
Yip, that’s the man.
Peter McAuley something.
Hail Hail
Forrest on Fire.
Your defence is terrified!
sorry bhoys, but though a good player,andy Robertson couldnae lace kierans boots,,so there ye have it.hh. imho.obviously.
James Forrest is first Scotland player to score 2 goals in 2 successive matches since Denis Law in 1963. 55 years record.
YNWA
Jessore – at my age I really shouldn’t watch :-)
Well done James, Calmac and Ryan – see you in the hoops soon
BP
Sorry I disagree.
I think Andrew Robertson is a brilliant player, and slightly better than KT, due to age and greater experience.
Bet Joan agrees with me. ??
YNWA
James Forrest a scapegoat no more. Oan yersel son. A Brendan Rodgers refined and perfected player.
A fan of the Scotland team, not the governing body. Two distinct entities.
Zionist scum oot.
£3 @ 100/1 wee Jamesie to score in both halves…?
Wee James Forrest gets to keep Israel ….and gives it to Palestine!
Disclaimer below??
And that is a joke btw. A sardonic dig a people deemed ‘settlers’ who are actually state-sponsored ‘land thieves’ .
And yes I do believe in a peaceful 2-state solution.
Before ZionistCSC get their wee bloomers in a twist.
James Forrest – 12
Kylian Mbappé – 8
Robert Lewandowski – 7
Lionel Messi – 6
Harry Kane – 6
Neymar – 6
Antoine Griezmann – 6
DELANEYS DUNKY. garry you bet she does.hh.?,
James
Iron, Lion, Zion.
Irie
I’ll be over on ma holidays in March/April for my mammies 80th birthday doo.
I’d like to buy any CQNer a pint I come across.
Yon Mountblow Tim owes me a drink anawe, as he was about .775 seconds too slow to put his hand in his pocket the last time ;-)
Sin City Bhoy
Back wi a bang! Magic.
Forrest on Fire!
Your defence is terrified!
Nanananananana
YNWA