SGP

FIXTURES announced here: http://www1.skysports.com/watch/speedway-on-sky EDIT - page empty now.

FIRST meeting will be Belle Vue vs. Swindon (may change).

NOT his biggest fan - for various reasons - but wish the guy well.

HOW did I know that someone would mention this, on the day or day after. I only shared the information I had.

FOR what it's worth, just been told SKY should confirm by Wednesday 18th and will have some VT features appearing on their Sky Sports News Channel- not sure if Flagrag can confirm, but this fits in with Phil's earlier comment too about being before Christmas. Also, Flagrag - is there any end of season review planned?

LIKE others on here, I was told Friday was the day. As both and Phil and Flagrag mentioned, the delay is most likely PR/Legal related. I know a deal is done so people should not panic. I am guessing some will like it, others wont.

THERE is also a large company interested in a sponsorship deal - yet to clarify if this has been signed yet though.

LUNCH time Friday I've been told.. Obviously I don't know for sure, but in my opinion SKY are back. They've certainly negotiated, that much is true.

MAYBE Tony Mole would like to take over at the EoES.

AS I have said for a couple of months, SKY would not consider any new deal until the BSPA provided clarity on what product they would be offering. Now that the AGM is over, I expect an announcement very soon.

CAN'T just assume it's SKY who are to potentially provide TV coverage...

CLUB photographers and videographers must sign a license agreement form which has to be signed off by the BSPA, the [club] promoter and GSI. Any prevention of 'clips' is due to this license which is NOT signed by SKY directly; though they do have to protect their intellectual properties too etc. If any of you are interested in seeing the general content of this form, then I can provide a link.

BT Sport is very much a viable option, based on what I am aware of, as is Eurosport who it seems would tender the OB facilities. Of course though, most of this depends on the BSPA AGM. The key thing is, and as everybody else is aware of, teams are reluctant to build without knowing if they have a TV deal budget and is yet more reason as to why a new deal should've been sorted long before this stage.

NOTHING in terms of TV deal though.

GSI can offer BT Sport (and others of course) the Polish League rights too - they've had them for a while and nothing has come of it, so far.

GREAT idea in theory, but Birmingham's website couldn't cope with 26 visitors during a televised meeting...

INTERESTING times! Wouldn't say SKY have washed their hands with the sport, but clearly the product has to change. Whilst SKY are involved I expect the play-offs to remain. Hopefully a deal can be concluded. There is one large company that is keen to sponsor / be involved with the 'top' domestic league in the UK, so hopefully there are options.

DON'T even think they invited Loram when he won back in 2000 either, but I could be wrong.

FOR those that missed it, here is a photo from the studio. http://i43.tinypic.com/2dmcry0.jpg

THINK you missed the point of my post, I was trying to give a little info on what SKY would like. You can't compare just one week, as you can make the facts work however you wish. When SKY visited the PL tracks, am pretty sure the crowds there were more than what Belle Vue got on the same night... My point is, SKY can cope without 'big names', it's the product and entertainment that works for them, aside from the financial side...

SKY wouldn't say no to more big names, but what is important to them is better value for money... They want closer racing, better presented venues and fuller crowds. For me, the Premier League can offer much more of this than the current Elite setup.

BT SPORT'S Marc Watson is keen on gaining new customers, especially from SKY so if the rights to 'Elite' league Speedway did become available then I know they would be keen.

EXCELLENT post as always. From the view I have on the 'inside' is that the ball is in the BSPA's court in terms of showing SKY what it has to offer. By that, I mean SKY wouldn't be against the idea of renewing if the BSPA would 'improve' and outline exactly what product it wishes to offer. My own view, is that Speedway SHOULD stick with SKY, as SKY has stuck with Speedway. I am aware of interest from BT Sport, well, it's certainly on their radar; but for me, Speedway should stay with SKY.

THE key thing though with Eurosport is that they don't have the OB facilities like SKY have. It is a big expense, staff, production trucks, satellite up-link and even catering. I am sure if a third-party company provided the above, then I'm sure it'd be more appealing to Eurosport. As I've said before, unless the BSPA sort out exactly what the product is, then SKY are likely to cut their ties; just like they did with the SGP. PS - To the anti Phil Rising members out there; his input is always balanced and factual.

NO decision made yet of course, but I wonder if having a British World Champion would be a 'tick in the box' for SKY continuing their coverage of Speedway, in whatever capacity that may be.