Memorable Moments In Cricket.>

[Maranello]

True, would be very interesting to see quality first-class and domestic one-day cricket from Aus, Ind, Pak and RSA.. Sky might look into this as an option to fill up the periods when they have no real sport, instead of using their current favourites of wind-surfing, roller blading, bad acting masquerading as wrestling, et al... and then, just before Sky put on the Ranji Trophy final, weathermen will report an airborne pig over London..

[Maranello]

Actually, thinking about this a tad more seriously, it might not even be practical since a lot of domestic cricket is currently not televised at all, anywhere, except maybe the key finals etc ..at least that's how it is in India and Pakistan, am guessing is pretty similar in Aus and SA..

So, whilst it costs next to nothing for Channel 5 to put on domestic league matches from Argentina at 3am, it will cost a fortune for them or another UK-based broadcaster to do the same...

This is because Boca Juniors v River Plate is televised in Argentina, and all Channel 5 need to do is to buy the UK rights for recorded broadcast, which surely can't be worth much in the first place. And the opportunity cost is probably not too great either, its not as if they broadcast much else that's informative or entertaining!

On the other hand, if they or anyone else wanted to broadcast the one day final from Pak, eg, Lahore v Karachi, they will have to get a whole team of people down there to broadcast it first, at exhorbitant cost.. Secondly, even if the match is being broadcast locally, the opportunity cost of a UK broadcaster clearing up a whole day's peak scheduling might be too great...and if they don't broadcast these things live, it sort of loses the impact for me!

I think the only way forward is a dedicated Cricket channel on PPV...which has rights to all cricket, incl. International and first-class, A-team tours and Under-19 etc...and then those who are interested can pay for it, instead of cricket fans subsidising incessant football chatter! In today's digital age, one channel would be enough, since if more than one Test is on, as currently, you can always use the multi-screen option...

Just think of it...a TV version of Test Match Special, only one which runs 24/7, every day, season or off-season... surely there's money to be made here?

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Maranello

I think the only way forward is a dedicated Cricket channel on PPV...which has rights to all cricket, incl. International and first-class, A-team tours and Under-19 etc...and then those who are interested can pay for it, instead of cricket fans subsidising incessant football chatter! In today's digital age, one channel would be enough, since if more than one Test is on, as currently, you can always use the multi-screen option...

Just think of it...a TV version of Test Match Special, only one which runs 24/7, every day, season or off-season... surely there's money to be made here?

Hmm well though out post, I expect you are right over C5, , yes I would be more than interested in the above, and the best part would be, they would be on at different times, because of the time zone factor.

Yep good idea, trouble is Maranello, no one takes notice of good ideas.

Ern

[Nikhil]

Good idea Maranello. If there can be a channel dedicated to golf, why on earth can there be no channel dedicated to cricket. Agreed that it won't buy many customers in the US or elsewhere, but in India, Pakistan, Aus and England there would be enough customers to make it a viable possibility.