Cricket matches

Jeezer, if Sky don't exist then there will be no other broadcaster to telecast this 5-day entertainment game.

As for the BBC not showing highlights any more.

As I recall a big reason they lost them was because they wouldn't (or couldn't) guarantee the cricket authorities a certain time when it would be on, a reasonably early one. So they went to C4.

I think it was in the 1990's when the BBC wanted a set time for Newsnight which mearnt they couldn't move it around for cricket to be at a decent time. Remember when they did this for snooker as well.

The highlights then seemed to start later and later.

It became ridiculous when England toured Austraila because the highlights would finish after the next day's started.

I'm sure money did come in to it as well.

They've lost the Grand National now as well, before long all they will have left to show is snooker and indoor bowls.

BBC will do it, failing that channel 4. There is still interest in england tests, particularly when England are strong as they are now, and that interest will only grow if more people can experience test cricket, or any cricket for that matter, without paying £30 a month for the priviledge.

The snooker on the BBC recently had poor coverage, they may show live matches on the red button, but hardly any previews before the matches, any round-ups after the matches and the final finished 2 hours before the programme was scheduled to finish yet Hazel tried to finish the interviews as soon as possible, typical 5 second round-up from Parrott and Davis and it's wrapped up as soon as possible. Yet during the Championship, the BBC team have the gall to complain about the lack of interest in this country.

Can you imagine the difference between this and if a Test match finishes early on Sky. They have a round-up of the game, analysis of the game, numerous interviews and if there's still time, highlights or a replay of the day's play.

They only show the Euros and the WC because FIFA say they must be on free to air.

Really, what about League cup final and Championship games?

They are a local competition, so it's down to the Govt. to decide. There is a 'protected' list of sports which must be free to air, like the FA Cup final, but that list is getting shorter every year...

It's really unfortunate for the Govt. to exclude Ashes in the 'protected list'.

the bbc have lost the carling cup final and the championship games.looks like the football league show has gone too.the bbc are a disgrace.