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Quite agree the camera coverage let's tbem down but other than everything else is ok Natalie is brilliant front person

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BRANDO also doubles as TV floor manager ... another cost saving. This production is being done on a shoe-string compared to Sky and that is the only way it will continue.

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Another positive I like from the BT production is the round up of footage from around the tracks and I think Natalie is definitely the right person to front Speedway as has so much knowledge and knows the questions to ask.

I agree. If Sky do come back, both of these need to be retained. Natalie is fantastic (best speedway presenter we have had in a long time), like you say knowledgeable and asks the right questions at the right time, and also personable.

 

The round up of footage is a great addition. In theory this could be added to for more coverage during track grading by including round up and best of the action from Championship (if rights allowed). Also maybe a general news round up, for example the Kings Lynn stuff could be touched upon, injured rider updates etc.

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This 'lack of cameras' coverage is the first time I've noticed anything wrong with BT's coverage.

 

If it was a BT cost-cutting exercise at Kings Lynn last night, its hardly surprising that they didn't take truckloads of kit with the likelihood that the meeting might be called off at the drop of a hat?! ;-) ;-)

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When bt were at poole in june there was nothing like the equipment that sky had so they have cut back

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Agree that there are a few aspects where Sky coverage, especially pictures, were better but one thing BT have got right is cutting out the Sky Studio with Pearson & Tatum. It always looked forced and Tatum did wonderful impersonations of a nodding dog, probably had someone in his ear saying be more animated. The banter from them now they don't have to worry about how they look seems better to me. Much more natural and more akin to a couple of fans on the terraces.

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I agree with others that the only real flaw is the way they cut to a close up of the finish line to watch the leader go past regardless of whether or not there is a good race going on behind.

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As is already documented on here there has been been a cut down on the amount of cameras being used this year due to costs and budgets.

 

I am surprised people have noticed that BT are turning up with less equipment than Sky as they still have the OB unit,Support tender,Generator and Satellite Uplink unit. The only extra trucks Sky used to bring was a catering unit as there was more staff involved now they have to make their own tea & coffee.

 

As I stated before BT have made some good improvements and managed to keep the costs down well.

 

Previously the Sky production team were reluctant to use footage from the track DVD companies as felt that it would look out of place in the tv production but BT have proved well with by using some effective graphics and effects it can look ok.

 

To make sure Speedway remains on tv in 2018 I mentioned before it is very important that viewers interact with BT on Facebook & Twitter so keep sharing and commenting on the Speedway content they upload as they measure a lot of audience reaction from this as well as the viewing figures.

 

Another little cheat is if you are watching at home on the TV and also have an IPad or phone have it playing on the BT sport app there as well as they look closely at online viewing as well

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As is already documented on here there has been been a cut down on the amount of cameras being used this year due to costs and budgets.

 

I am surprised people have noticed that BT are turning up with less equipment than Sky as they still have the OB unit,Support tender,Generator and Satellite Uplink unit. The only extra trucks Sky used to bring was a catering unit as there was more staff involved now they have to make their own tea & coffee.

 

As I stated before BT have made some good improvements and managed to keep the costs down well.

 

Previously the Sky production team were reluctant to use footage from the track DVD companies as felt that it would look out of place in the tv production but BT have proved well with by using some effective graphics and effects it can look ok.

 

To make sure Speedway remains on tv in 2018 I mentioned before it is very important that viewers interact with BT on Facebook & Twitter so keep sharing and commenting on the Speedway content they upload as they measure a lot of audience reaction from this as well as the viewing figures.

 

Another little cheat is if you are watching at home on the TV and also have an IPad or phone have it playing on the BT sport app there as well as they look closely at online viewing as well

One big question is where the clubs receive a payment, which I understand this year is from the Sky contract, are they going to receive any money at all in 2018 from BT or whoever might be showing speedway.

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For the most part, I enjoy BT's coverage.

 

As others have said, Natalie is an excellent presenter, and I do like the summary of the rest of the week's action from around the country.

 

My negatives are minor gripes, really and are in part about TV coverage in general, not BT's league coverage in particular:

 

1) It's a shame they don't give the race times. At the very least it would provide a solid reference point for the commentators to compare different heats.

 

2) I realise BT have no control whatsoever over the coverage of the GP's but the portrayal of women there is straight out of the 1950s; embarrassingly so, when shots focus and linger on the "models" pouting or wiggling their backsides and chests at the cameras, like some third-rate porn flick.

 

3) And finally, a truly petty pet hate: the constant use of teams' nicknames ahead of the place/club names. Personally, I'd never say I was going to watch the Stars against the Rebels on TV or that I was off to Manchester for the match between the Aces and the Lions, I'd simply say I was going to watch King's Lynn against Somerset or Belle Vue against Leicester. It all sounds rather Americanised to me, and I can't help feeling that emphasising the places where the clubs are based would help audiences begin to identify with their own nearest team.

 

4) Like everyone else, I think the camerawork needs improving.

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The Return wrote " If Sky do come back, both of these need to be retained. Natalie is fantastic (best speedway presenter we have had in a long time), like you say knowledgeable and asks the right questions at the right time, and also personable."

 

I agree that Natalie certainly is , all of the above and I hope that she continues fronting any broadcast TV of speedway.

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Sky Speedway V BT Speedway? From my point of view I haven't really noticed much difference in quality from one to the other. Yes, maybe an odd battle at the back has been missed but maybe that's inexperience. I obviously don't watch it as technically as some and I'm happy with the programme.

 

I hope BT stick with it and I do think the overall show is better. Sky are primarily interested in Football and all other sports are a foot note (TBF F1, Cricket & Golf are well supported). However, I'm not a Pearson fan when it comes to commentary, but you can't argue with his enthusiasm and at least Sudden Sam (loved him as a rider) is nowhere near.

 

BT gets thumbs up from me whether they improve or not. If they do it's win win IMO.

Edited by Shockster
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One thing BT do which i like is giving action and results of previous meetings since their last broadcast. A simple thing which gives a part time fan an update on how things are shaping up.

Edited by woz01

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One big question is where the clubs receive a payment, which I understand this year is from the Sky contract, are they going to receive any money at all in 2018 from BT or whoever might be showing speedway.

VERY unlikely. Probably the best the BSPA can hope for is that BT Sport continue, which seems likely, and contribute more towards the production costs which currently are at a bare minimum.

 

Incidentally, flagrag, the director last night was a 'stand-in' and had never done speedway before. Steve Saint, who you referred to earlier and is in charge of the TV production, does not actually direct. That is usually in the hands of a guy who did the role for Sky previously.

 

There were all sorts of problems at KL last night. Unlike in the Sky days, there is no "studio" for Kelvin and Nigel and yesterday their position, next to the referee, was changed very late on because Mick Bates did not want them in such close proximity.

 

Post-meeting when interviewing the riders Kelvin couldn't hear Natalie and she couldn't hear him, which is why the finale might have appeared so truncated.

 

But we should be grateful that BT are prepared to show speedway on a regular basis and stop nit-picking when people are doing their best with very limited resources.

Edited by PHILIPRISING
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