BSkyB lands England Test coverage

[Zainub]

There are advantages and disadvantages of everything I guess, handing over the TV rights to Sky will have its good effects and bad effects...but at least we ALL can be glad about one thing ....NO MORE MARK NICHOLAS....!!!!

In seriousness though I'm not at all in a position to comment (and I'm glad about that too), here in Pakistan, I have access to test matches in England via both Sky (through ESPN STAR Sports) and CH 4 (Super Sport) ...and I (my dad actually!!) has to pay for both, but its cheep, in fact I have access to virtually all test matches played anywhere for a mere 2.77 pounds a month....not bad at all...I'm thankful.

Sympathies to those who don't have sky. If words are good consolers all I can say is don't worry, five years are going to pass by just like that...you won't even notice at least you have the radio coverage, ch 5 highlights to fall back on, something is better than nothing.

[top edged for 4]

Notts Exile

i once lived in a flat on the top of rushcliffe civic centre

i was able to open my flat door and watch the cricket, that was before the Ratcliffe road stand was built

i managed to appear on the tv once, as they were interviewing David Gower, i stood on my balcony jumping up and down waving my arms

i must have registered about twenty pixcels on the tv, but that was my fifteen minutes (if only 20 pixcels) of fame

[Shaka]

Hmmm...while it's a problem that viewing is restricted to SKY viewers I have to say I love their coverage. Charles Colville beats that smug b******* Mark Nicholas hands down as a tv anchor.

I'd go kiss my satellite dish right now...but it's on the roof and I don't like heights.

[Zainub]

How very fortuitous TEF4!

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by top edged for 4

i once lived in a flat on the top of rushcliffe civic centre

i was able to open my flat door and watch the cricket, that was before the Ratcliffe road stand was built

That's unlucky ! But at least they blocked your view with something worthwhile!

[Zainub]

And they've got Bumble too, and he obviously is the best ;-)

[Alison]

I can't afford Sky and I live in an area which doesn't receive Five, I guess that means that after next summer I won't be able to watch any cricket at all!

[Pete]

What happens to Richie Benaud?

[Occasional Fan]

Isn't he expected to retire at the end of The Ashes series next summer anyway? If not, I am sure Sky will try to snap him up - although Packer may have some concerns about him working for both Channel 9 in Australia and Rupert Murdoch over in Europe.

[top edged for 4]

Just wondering if any of you who are not impressed with the current deal would like to make your feelings known then why not try below, i sent an email to Mr Leach this morning (aptly named i thought)

The chairman of Durham, and a former director of ITN, Leach said bluntly: "There will always be people in certain walks of life who cannot afford certain things.
"That's the way it will be." "

then these are the addresses to go for:

pat.walton.durham@ecb.co.uk

ellen.johnson.durham@ecb.co.uk