A brief history of sport on Channel 4
From Saturday the BDO World Darts Championship will run for 9 days, however it will for the first time will not be going out on it's traditional home of the BBC but instead it will be going out on Channel 4. The BBC cut its ties with the BDO to save costs and cover the 2 day Champions League of Darts run by the rival body the PDC and Channel 4 replacing the Beeb for the BDO event.
Channel 4 covering Darts is a long way from the sports it covered when it started in 1982. For about a decade and a half brought to the British viewer sports not usually seen by the British viewer. American Football, Aussie Rules Football, Baseball. Basketball, Gaelic Football, Sumo Wrestling and that curiosity from India Kabaddi. There was also coverage of events like the Tour De France. And in the days when Channel 4 had close ties with ITV, they jointly covered the 1988 Summer Olympics.
In 1992 saw Channel 4 take it's first steps in the sporting mainstream. It started coverage of Italy's serue A Football League. This was prompted in part by the presence of English players David Plattt, Paul Ince and the most famous of them all, Paul Gascoigne. For the next 10 years during the course of the League season, a live match would be shown on a Sunday afternoon. Though by the end Channel 4 showed matches infrequent before dropping it.
In 1998 Channel 4 did the unthinkable and snatched the rights to England's Test Cricket team home matches from the BBC. Despite the fury of Countdown fans angry that they favourite show being deplaced in the schedules, C4 gained praise and awards for it's coverage. However in a running theme Sky came brought the rights.
The sport that Channel 4 had the longest association with was Horse Racing. The peak came when from 2012 to 2016 it held a monopoly of Free to Air coverage that included big events including the Grand National. However with declining ratings for the big meetings the deal ended with ITV raking over.
Perhaps the most infamous chapter in Channel 4's sport coverage was when it brought the rights to cover the World Athletics Championships. For the 2011 event Gadget Show presenter Ortis Delay was chosen to anchor the coverage. But making a large number of gaffes he was replace midway through and the IAAF sold the rights back to the BBC.
Channel 4 has most recently started to cover the Formula 1 World Championship after the BBC (as with the BDO World Darts Championship) cut short it's contract to save costs. However in 2019 (yet again) Sky will have exclusive rights.
How long Channel 4 and the BDO will be together remains to be seen. However one thing that you can count is that Channel 4 will always make a surprise with what sports it covers.
Friday, 6 January 2017
Thursday, 5 January 2017
Yorkshire book seller update
Steve Bloom who gained attention after calling a book shop visitor a 'pain in the arse' if they refused to pay a 50p entrance fee has now apologised for the comments he made The head of the local parish council has suggested Mr Bloom should go on a charm offencive in to ease the upset and difficulties he has caused in the local community.
Steve Bloom who gained attention after calling a book shop visitor a 'pain in the arse' if they refused to pay a 50p entrance fee has now apologised for the comments he made The head of the local parish council has suggested Mr Bloom should go on a charm offencive in to ease the upset and difficulties he has caused in the local community.
Basil Fawlty now owns a book shop in Yorkshire
Steve Bloom the owner of a book shop called Bloomingdales in the Yorkshire town of Hawes has found himself in the national press for his treatment of a Customer. Mr Bloom has a policy of that if anyone enters the shop they have to pay 50p though it is refunded if an item is bought. When one such person refused to pay up Mr Bloom called them a pain in the arse. Mr Bloom has been the subject of complaints to the local parish council about his behaviour, Mr Bloom justifies the entrance fee as a way of sorting out serious prospective buyer. Though there have many complaints about Mr Bloom at least one review on the Internet said the entrance was worth it.
Steve Bloom the owner of a book shop called Bloomingdales in the Yorkshire town of Hawes has found himself in the national press for his treatment of a Customer. Mr Bloom has a policy of that if anyone enters the shop they have to pay 50p though it is refunded if an item is bought. When one such person refused to pay up Mr Bloom called them a pain in the arse. Mr Bloom has been the subject of complaints to the local parish council about his behaviour, Mr Bloom justifies the entrance fee as a way of sorting out serious prospective buyer. Though there have many complaints about Mr Bloom at least one review on the Internet said the entrance was worth it.
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
The dangers of reality
The line up of Channel 4's ski jumping based show The Jump has been revealed, it is mostly made up of sports people including Cycling's Sir Bradley Wiggins, Rugby player Jason Robinson, Gymnast Louis Smith and Taekwondo' Jade Jones. Jones involvement has driven the sport's UK governing body to air it concerns.. The last series had seen several injuries including Rebbecca Adlington dislocating her shoulder and Beth Tweedle need surgery on her spine. Given (even though she is a twice Olympic gold medallist) that at age of 23 Jones still has much of her career ahead of her the concerns were raised for her. Though this not the first time the question of safety has hanged over a TV programme. There was the tragic death of Micheal Lush (as described in my post about Noel Edmonds) which brought about the end of The Late, Late Breakfast Show. And then there was Richard Hammond's brush with death when driving a high powered vehicle and left fighting for his life which he won. Perhaps it is human nature for people to see other people do things that they would not do, but the big question is it worth in the end?
The line up of Channel 4's ski jumping based show The Jump has been revealed, it is mostly made up of sports people including Cycling's Sir Bradley Wiggins, Rugby player Jason Robinson, Gymnast Louis Smith and Taekwondo' Jade Jones. Jones involvement has driven the sport's UK governing body to air it concerns.. The last series had seen several injuries including Rebbecca Adlington dislocating her shoulder and Beth Tweedle need surgery on her spine. Given (even though she is a twice Olympic gold medallist) that at age of 23 Jones still has much of her career ahead of her the concerns were raised for her. Though this not the first time the question of safety has hanged over a TV programme. There was the tragic death of Micheal Lush (as described in my post about Noel Edmonds) which brought about the end of The Late, Late Breakfast Show. And then there was Richard Hammond's brush with death when driving a high powered vehicle and left fighting for his life which he won. Perhaps it is human nature for people to see other people do things that they would not do, but the big question is it worth in the end?
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Most shocking Pointless answers: The follow up
Just a couple of hours after I posted my previous post the most hugely wrong Pointless answers then the web becomes alive with one that ended a friendship. When asked the question to name a country whose name ends with 2 constants, a contestant gives the answer Paris. Her partner is shown grimacing hence the talk of a friendship ended. Until the pair set the matter straight we shall never know.
Just a couple of hours after I posted my previous post the most hugely wrong Pointless answers then the web becomes alive with one that ended a friendship. When asked the question to name a country whose name ends with 2 constants, a contestant gives the answer Paris. Her partner is shown grimacing hence the talk of a friendship ended. Until the pair set the matter straight we shall never know.
Most shocking Pointless answers
These are the 3 most shocking answers given on Pointless that can be found on Youtube
1. A contestant who is a maths teacher says he is bad at geography. He confirms this with his answer to the question name a US state. He comes up with Mexico. Just as well he does not teach geography.
2. The category is assassinations. The clue is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas. The given answer is J.R. though to be fair to the contestant she realises that her answer is massively wrong a second after giving it.
3. When asked to name the piece of work in which a fictional educator appeared in. A contestant says that The Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi appeared in Mr Miyagi and the Magical Instruments. That he gives his answer in a rather carefree way you know he is making it up just to save face.
These are the 3 most shocking answers given on Pointless that can be found on Youtube
1. A contestant who is a maths teacher says he is bad at geography. He confirms this with his answer to the question name a US state. He comes up with Mexico. Just as well he does not teach geography.
2. The category is assassinations. The clue is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas. The given answer is J.R. though to be fair to the contestant she realises that her answer is massively wrong a second after giving it.
3. When asked to name the piece of work in which a fictional educator appeared in. A contestant says that The Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi appeared in Mr Miyagi and the Magical Instruments. That he gives his answer in a rather carefree way you know he is making it up just to save face.
Monday, 2 January 2017
Best of: Sherlock Holmes - Jeremy Brett
For many Jeremy Brett was the definitive take of Arthur Conan Doyle's consulting detective. Here are the ten best episodes.
1. The Final Problem
Holmes and Watson go to Europe to escape the wrath of Professor (Eric Porter giving the character an almost satanic edge) Moriarty. The final shot of Holmes and Moriarty falling down the Reichenbach Falls has a haunting quality
2. The Solitary Cyclist
A young female music teacher turns to Holmes for help when on her bicylce ride to work she finds she is being followed by same cyclist. The episode features Holmes showing his Boxing skills on a South African Ruffian.
3. The Red Headed League
When a shop owner finds himself with a second job on the basis of the colour of his hair, he of course turns to Holmes for help who discover that a masterfully planed crimes is about to take place. Gust starring Richard (who at one point wears a red wig) Wilson and Tim McInerny. And even though the character does not appear in the original story, Eric Porter makes his first appearance as Moriarty.
4. The Master Blackmailer
Robert Hardy is Charles Augustus Milverton, the titular character whose ruthless schemes that leave emotional and physical pain have Holme considered Milverton to be worse than most murderers. Milverton gets a suitable ending
5. The Six Napoleons
When busts of Napoleon are being destroyed, Inspector (Colin Jevaons) Lestrade turns to Holmes for help. And when a murder is commited at the sight of the next destroyed bust it brings a connection with a previous case Holmes worked on. Featuring guest appearances by British comedy legend Eric Sykes and a pre Star Trek: The Next Genartion Marina Sirtis.
6. The Copper Beeches
A young governess turns to Holmes for help when her new employer makes an number of unusal demands of her such as cutting her hair. Guest starring Natasha Richardson and Joss Ackland
7. The Sign of Four
A series of impossible murders have a motive that trace back to India. The episode features an night time boat chase. With guest appearences by Jenny Seagrove, Ronald Lacey and in the year he made his first showing as Inspector Morse, an unreconisble John Thaw,
8. The Dying Detective
Holmes pits his wits with Culverton Smith, an expert on poison when his cousin's wife becomes concerned with the influence he has over her husband. And then Holmes himself takes ill. Featuring an early appearance by Hugh Bonneville who at the time was credited as Richard Bonneville.
9. Shoscombe Old Place
Holmes is asked by a race horse trainer to look into the odd behaviour of his employer and what connections it may have with his sister health. Featuring an early appearance by Jude Law who himself would go on to play Watson in the Robert Downy jr Sherlock Holmes films
10. The Disappearnce of Lady Frances Carfax
When on holiday Watson makes the acquaintance of an independent and strong minded woman. When she disappears he asks Holmes to help in the investigation with suspicion falling on one of her suitors.
For many Jeremy Brett was the definitive take of Arthur Conan Doyle's consulting detective. Here are the ten best episodes.
1. The Final Problem
Holmes and Watson go to Europe to escape the wrath of Professor (Eric Porter giving the character an almost satanic edge) Moriarty. The final shot of Holmes and Moriarty falling down the Reichenbach Falls has a haunting quality
2. The Solitary Cyclist
A young female music teacher turns to Holmes for help when on her bicylce ride to work she finds she is being followed by same cyclist. The episode features Holmes showing his Boxing skills on a South African Ruffian.
3. The Red Headed League
When a shop owner finds himself with a second job on the basis of the colour of his hair, he of course turns to Holmes for help who discover that a masterfully planed crimes is about to take place. Gust starring Richard (who at one point wears a red wig) Wilson and Tim McInerny. And even though the character does not appear in the original story, Eric Porter makes his first appearance as Moriarty.
4. The Master Blackmailer
Robert Hardy is Charles Augustus Milverton, the titular character whose ruthless schemes that leave emotional and physical pain have Holme considered Milverton to be worse than most murderers. Milverton gets a suitable ending
5. The Six Napoleons
When busts of Napoleon are being destroyed, Inspector (Colin Jevaons) Lestrade turns to Holmes for help. And when a murder is commited at the sight of the next destroyed bust it brings a connection with a previous case Holmes worked on. Featuring guest appearances by British comedy legend Eric Sykes and a pre Star Trek: The Next Genartion Marina Sirtis.
6. The Copper Beeches
A young governess turns to Holmes for help when her new employer makes an number of unusal demands of her such as cutting her hair. Guest starring Natasha Richardson and Joss Ackland
7. The Sign of Four
A series of impossible murders have a motive that trace back to India. The episode features an night time boat chase. With guest appearences by Jenny Seagrove, Ronald Lacey and in the year he made his first showing as Inspector Morse, an unreconisble John Thaw,
8. The Dying Detective
Holmes pits his wits with Culverton Smith, an expert on poison when his cousin's wife becomes concerned with the influence he has over her husband. And then Holmes himself takes ill. Featuring an early appearance by Hugh Bonneville who at the time was credited as Richard Bonneville.
9. Shoscombe Old Place
Holmes is asked by a race horse trainer to look into the odd behaviour of his employer and what connections it may have with his sister health. Featuring an early appearance by Jude Law who himself would go on to play Watson in the Robert Downy jr Sherlock Holmes films
10. The Disappearnce of Lady Frances Carfax
When on holiday Watson makes the acquaintance of an independent and strong minded woman. When she disappears he asks Holmes to help in the investigation with suspicion falling on one of her suitors.
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