Football fans want Scotland games on free TV
Most people believe Scotland international football games should be live on free-to-view TV, a survey of viewers today found.
Even a majority of non-football fans back such a move, according to the figures released by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission.
The national side's home matches are currently broadcast on subscription channel Sky Sports, while fellow pay TV broadcaster Setanta has rights to the away games.
First Minister Alex Salmond recently branded it "extraordinary and unacceptable" that the only forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers to be screened on terrestrial TV in Scotland would be England's home matches.
The Public Attitudes to Broadcasting survey today found that 53% of Scots were interested in watching live Scottish football.
Of these, 96% say that Scotland internationals should be live on terrestrial TV rather than pay TV channels.
But 70% of those with no interest in watching live TV coverage also backed this view with 61% of this group feeling strongly on the issue.
Mr Salmond demanded action from broadcasters and Westminster to ensure Scotland's World Cup football qualifiers are shown on terrestrial TV, when he delivered a keynote address to the Royal Television Society in Glasgow earlier this year.
A spokesman for the SFA said today it has "every sympathy" with supporters, but needs the funding from TV deals to develop grassroots football.
The survey saw just over 1,000 people interviewed.
The vast majority (82%) expressed an interest in a new television channel for people living in Scotland, with interest most widespread (58%) for news programmes to be broadcast on this channel.
ITV1 emerged with the highest level of satisfaction in the survey, on various aspects of programming, with just over half (55%) claiming to be very or fairly satisfied. BBC1 was not far behind on 53%.
About two-thirds (65%) also felt that the level of Scottish news coverage was currently about right.
Almost half of Scots (49%) were satisfied with the way Scotland is reported on UK news programmes while 36% were dissatisfied.
The concept of a "Scottish Six" news programme was also backed by a majority of respondents.
An evening news programme from 6-7pm covering Scottish news and UK/international news from a Scottish perspective met with the backing of 53%.
This compares with 36% who instead backed the current set-up of two half-hour news shows, with one for Scotland only and the other for the rest of the UK.
Broadcasting Commission chair Blair Jenkins said today: "The research findings published today provide us with the most up-to-date insights into what people in Scotland think about broadcasting now and into the future.
"We are very clear that our work and final recommendations must take account of what people want to see and hear."
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Posted by: EricS on 12:38pm Fri 9 May 08
We have a survey on how Scotland is represented in the media. The Herald in its wisdom turns it into a football story.
If I'm reading this correctly, the same percentage of people want a 'Scottish Six' as want more live Scottish football games on TV. Surely, the big story here is the majority wanting a Scottish Six, not some football story (although I wouldn't complain about more (any) Scottish internationals on free-to-air TV)
After just watching the Daily Politics Show, it struck me as how extremely Westminster centric it is. It takes no notice of the fact that a large number of items are devolved to Scotland/NI/Wales and reports only from a Westminster (English) perspective on these. Shocking and a continued afront to an educated democracy from the BBC.
We have a survey on how Scotland is represented in the media. The Herald in its wisdom turns it into a football story.
If I'm reading this correctly, the same percentage of people want a 'Scottish Six' as want more live Scottish football games on TV. Surely, the big story here is the majority wanting a Scottish Six, not some football story (although I wouldn't complain about more (any) Scottish internationals on free-to-air TV)
After just watching the Daily Politics Show, it struck me as how extremely Westminster centric it is. It takes no notice of the fact that a large number of items are devolved to Scotland/NI/Wales and reports only from a Westminster (English) perspective on these. Shocking and a continued afront to an educated democracy from the BBC.
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 12:45pm Fri 9 May 08
The Scotland games SHOULD be on terrestrial TV, er...because we are in Scotland.
I've got nothing against England, I think they've got great players and have got a decent World Cup history, (1966 winners, 2 semi finals, 5 quarter finals, 2 second rounds). A statistic Scotland can only dream about.
But even if Brazil was on the BBC, I'd still rather want my Scotland team on instead.
The Scotland games SHOULD be on terrestrial TV, er...because we are in Scotland.
I've got nothing against England, I think they've got great players and have got a decent World Cup history, (1966 winners, 2 semi finals, 5 quarter finals, 2 second rounds). A statistic Scotland can only dream about.
But even if Brazil was on the BBC, I'd still rather want my Scotland team on instead.
Posted by: Fraser, Glasgow on 1:11pm Fri 9 May 08
Wait a minute did Blair Jenkins ask anybody if they would pay extra taxes to subsidise the SFA? I spoke to an SFA member of staff about this recently, without the money from Sky they can't afford to run the kids courses (for boys and girls) to bring along the next generation or train the next generation of coaches.
Blair Jenkins would have those with short memories believe that we have been stitched up by Sky, the reality was these games were only available on the radio till a few years ago. Growing up in the 80's you either listened on the radio or went to the game. Basically if you want to see it in the flesh or on tv you have to pay.
Wait a minute did Blair Jenkins ask anybody if they would pay extra taxes to subsidise the SFA? I spoke to an SFA member of staff about this recently, without the money from Sky they can't afford to run the kids courses (for boys and girls) to bring along the next generation or train the next generation of coaches.
Blair Jenkins would have those with short memories believe that we have been stitched up by Sky, the reality was these games were only available on the radio till a few years ago. Growing up in the 80's you either listened on the radio or went to the game. Basically if you want to see it in the flesh or on tv you have to pay.
Posted by: JBlackley, Florida on 1:21pm Fri 9 May 08
In a similar survey, Scots interviewed in pubs said they were in favour of alcohol being free at the point of delivery and urged the Scottish government to "do something about it".
Other Scots, interviewed at their places of work were strongly in favour of being replaced by government-provided robots, thereby allowing the workers the necessary leisure time to enjoy their free beer and free-to-air football.
Meanwhile, one Scot (a curmudgeonly, overweight smartypants), when interviewed, would only respond, "Grow the ><"* up!"
In a similar survey, Scots interviewed in pubs said they were in favour of alcohol being free at the point of delivery and urged the Scottish government to "do something about it".
Other Scots, interviewed at their places of work were strongly in favour of being replaced by government-provided robots, thereby allowing the workers the necessary leisure time to enjoy their free beer and free-to-air football.
Meanwhile, one Scot (a curmudgeonly, overweight smartypants), when interviewed, would only respond, "Grow the ><"* up!"
Posted by: Free Thinker, North Lanarkshire on 1:58pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Rab Jones[/bold] wrote:
The Scotland games SHOULD be on terrestrial TV, er...because we are in Scotland. I've got nothing against England, I think they've got great players and have got a decent World Cup history, (1966 winners, 2 semi finals, 5 quarter finals, 2 second rounds). A statistic Scotland can only dream about. But even if Brazil was on the BBC, I'd still rather want my Scotland team on instead.[/quote]
1966 was rigged...
Rab Jones wrote:
The Scotland games SHOULD be on terrestrial TV, er...because we are in Scotland. I've got nothing against England, I think they've got great players and have got a decent World Cup history, (1966 winners, 2 semi finals, 5 quarter finals, 2 second rounds). A statistic Scotland can only dream about. But even if Brazil was on the BBC, I'd still rather want my Scotland team on instead.
1966 was rigged...
Posted by: jen_5of8, Florence, Italy on 2:00pm Fri 9 May 08
I'm currently based outside of Scotland and I can only see the Scotland matches on the pay channels - can't get BBC here. I can understand that folk want to have important matches on free-to-view channels, but it cuts down on the opportunities for ex-pats to watch them.
I'm currently based outside of Scotland and I can only see the Scotland matches on the pay channels - can't get BBC here. I can understand that folk want to have important matches on free-to-view channels, but it cuts down on the opportunities for ex-pats to watch them.
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 2:07pm Fri 9 May 08
And so was.......
Argentiona 1978 - The military regime threatened teams to lose to Argentina.
Mexico 1986 - The referee allowed Maradonas handball.
France 1998 - the French poisoned Ronaldo and made him have a fit.
Grow up Free thinker, if the third "ghost" goal hadn't have stood, they still would have won 3-2.
Get over it, I have .......just. .
And so was.......
Argentiona 1978 - The military regime threatened teams to lose to Argentina.
Mexico 1986 - The referee allowed Maradonas handball.
France 1998 - the French poisoned Ronaldo and made him have a fit.
Grow up Free thinker, if the third "ghost" goal hadn't have stood, they still would have won 3-2.
Get over it, I have .......just. .
Posted by: John Leven, Leven Fife on 2:08pm Fri 9 May 08
There is no such thing as "free to air TV" we pay a large subscription every year for the pleasure of watching the English Broadcasting Corporation. It is called a TV license, do we in Scotland get value for money for this license, not a chance.
As only a fraction of the license money raised in Scotland gets spent in Scotland, this commission should do one of two things. Either all the money raised in Scotland is spent in Scotland, or the license fee is reduced in Scotland to equal the total spent.
I for one do not want my money spent on cricket scores on the national news or on Englands world cup games.
The final clincher is that I cannot legally own a TV in Scotland unless I pay this unfair TV tax.
There is no such thing as "free to air TV" we pay a large subscription every year for the pleasure of watching the English Broadcasting Corporation. It is called a TV license, do we in Scotland get value for money for this license, not a chance.
As only a fraction of the license money raised in Scotland gets spent in Scotland, this commission should do one of two things. Either all the money raised in Scotland is spent in Scotland, or the license fee is reduced in Scotland to equal the total spent.
I for one do not want my money spent on cricket scores on the national news or on Englands world cup games.
The final clincher is that I cannot legally own a TV in Scotland unless I pay this unfair TV tax.
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 2:12pm Fri 9 May 08
[italic]I for one do not want my money spent on cricket scores on the national news or on Englands world cup games.[/italic]
It's all about appeasing the masses. You can't please everyone.
I particular don't want to see Gaelic programmes, River City, and dreary re-runs of that awful Chewin the fat show, but I don't complain about it John, I change the channel.
Next time you're watching tv and cricket scores or an England game is on, just use your remote control, that's what I do when the above programmes come on.
I for one do not want my money spent on cricket scores on the national news or on Englands world cup games.
It's all about appeasing the masses. You can't please everyone.
I particular don't want to see Gaelic programmes, River City, and dreary re-runs of that awful Chewin the fat show, but I don't complain about it John, I change the channel.
Next time you're watching tv and cricket scores or an England game is on, just use your remote control, that's what I do when the above programmes come on.
Posted by: John Leven, Leven Fife on 2:39pm Fri 9 May 08
Rab Jones
I think you are missing my point. If I do not like what is on Sky I do not pay the subscription. If I do not like what is in the Herald I do not buy the paper.
With the so called BBC I have no choice but to pay the TV tax. If I had a choice and choose not to pay then ok I switch channels, but at the moment I do not have that choice.
Do you think you may have a chance of seeing better programs on the BBC if all the TV tax money raised in Scotland was spent in Scotland, or are you happy to have crap programs so your money can buy English football matches?
Rab Jones
I think you are missing my point. If I do not like what is on Sky I do not pay the subscription. If I do not like what is in the Herald I do not buy the paper.
With the so called BBC I have no choice but to pay the TV tax. If I had a choice and choose not to pay then ok I switch channels, but at the moment I do not have that choice.
Do you think you may have a chance of seeing better programs on the BBC if all the TV tax money raised in Scotland was spent in Scotland, or are you happy to have crap programs so your money can buy English football matches?
Posted by: Rab Jones, Glasgow on 3:17pm Fri 9 May 08
I don't have the choice either, but like I said, if you don't want to watch:
River City
English football
The Karen Dunbar Show (thank god she's back in panto)
Gaelic programmes
Eastenders
Offside
Change the channel my friend.
[italic]If I do not like what is on Sky I do not pay the subscription.[/italic]
So if you come across the odd duff programme, film or documentary, you cancel the whole subscription. That's a bit much innit?
Isn't that cutting your nose off.................
Anyway, people watch too much tv anyway, get out more, socialise, read a book, take up a sport.
Paying the tax, allows me to legally watch all the channels that I have, including my SKY package. Yes it goes to the BBC coffers, but I pay it so I can watch any channel I want with piece of mind.
I don't have the choice either, but like I said, if you don't want to watch:
River City
English football
The Karen Dunbar Show (thank god she's back in panto)
Gaelic programmes
Eastenders
Offside
Change the channel my friend.
If I do not like what is on Sky I do not pay the subscription.
So if you come across the odd duff programme, film or documentary, you cancel the whole subscription. That's a bit much innit?
Isn't that cutting your nose off.................
Anyway, people watch too much tv anyway, get out more, socialise, read a book, take up a sport.
Paying the tax, allows me to legally watch all the channels that I have, including my SKY package. Yes it goes to the BBC coffers, but I pay it so I can watch any channel I want with piece of mind.
Posted by: sam, greenock on 4:15pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]JBlackley[/bold] wrote:
In a similar survey, Scots interviewed in pubs said they were in favour of alcohol being free at the point of delivery and urged the Scottish government to "do something about it". Other Scots, interviewed at their places of work were strongly in favour of being replaced by government-provided robots, thereby allowing the workers the necessary leisure time to enjoy their free beer and free-to-air football. Meanwhile, one Scot (a curmudgeonly, overweight smartypants), when interviewed, would only respond, "Grow the ><"* up!" [/quote] [quote]Meanwhile, one Scot (a curmudgeonly, overweight smartypants), when interviewed, would only respond, "Grow the ><"* up[/quote]
I'll have you know I said no such thing. :o)
JBlackley wrote:
In a similar survey, Scots interviewed in pubs said they were in favour of alcohol being free at the point of delivery and urged the Scottish government to "do something about it". Other Scots, interviewed at their places of work were strongly in favour of being replaced by government-provided robots, thereby allowing the workers the necessary leisure time to enjoy their free beer and free-to-air football. Meanwhile, one Scot (a curmudgeonly, overweight smartypants), when interviewed, would only respond, "Grow the ><"* up!"
Meanwhile, one Scot (a curmudgeonly, overweight smartypants), when interviewed, would only respond, "Grow the ><"* up
I'll have you know I said no such thing. :o)
Posted by: sam, greenock on 4:19pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]John Leven[/bold] wrote:
Rab Jones I think you are missing my point. If I do not like what is on Sky I do not pay the subscription. If I do not like what is in the Herald I do not buy the paper. With the so called BBC I have no choice but to pay the TV tax. If I had a choice and choose not to pay then ok I switch channels, but at the moment I do not have that choice. Do you think you may have a chance of seeing better programs on the BBC if all the TV tax money raised in Scotland was spent in Scotland, or are you happy to have crap programs so your money can buy English football matches?[/quote] So your on your TV you can only watch BBC1/2, you can't watch ITV.
John Leven wrote:
Rab Jones I think you are missing my point. If I do not like what is on Sky I do not pay the subscription. If I do not like what is in the Herald I do not buy the paper. With the so called BBC I have no choice but to pay the TV tax. If I had a choice and choose not to pay then ok I switch channels, but at the moment I do not have that choice. Do you think you may have a chance of seeing better programs on the BBC if all the TV tax money raised in Scotland was spent in Scotland, or are you happy to have crap programs so your money can buy English football matches?
So your on your TV you can only watch BBC1/2, you can't watch ITV.
Posted by: Free Thinker, North Lanarkshire on 5:19pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Rab Jones[/bold] wrote:
And so was....... Argentiona 1978 - The military regime threatened teams to lose to Argentina. Mexico 1986 - The referee allowed Maradonas handball. France 1998 - the French poisoned Ronaldo and made him have a fit. Grow up Free thinker, if the third "ghost" goal hadn't have stood, they still would have won 3-2. Get over it, I have .......just. . [/quote] Apologies if I have given the wrong impression. Football, that is, the non-participant spectator sport, to my mind is irrelevant. ‘Twenty-two men in shorts chasing a ball on a field with white lines on’, best describes it. Overlaid with tribal identity with divisional, religious, ethnic or national overtones wrapped in easily malleable rules. This package is then given the full-on propaganda black-op press treatment keeping it foremost in all but the avid dissenters mind. Easily available and dispensed intoxicating elixir when consumed at key moments of the manically built-up event makes for a deeper implant. It’s classic misdirection. Soap opera for men occupying their lives because there’s very little else lest they turn their attention to more pressing matters. All football is rigged as it always has been. Just making the point that England rolls out 1966 to the point of nausea.
And that’s not even considering the moral implications of the money wasted on this ‘sport’.
Rab Jones wrote:
And so was....... Argentiona 1978 - The military regime threatened teams to lose to Argentina. Mexico 1986 - The referee allowed Maradonas handball. France 1998 - the French poisoned Ronaldo and made him have a fit. Grow up Free thinker, if the third "ghost" goal hadn't have stood, they still would have won 3-2. Get over it, I have .......just. .
Apologies if I have given the wrong impression. Football, that is, the non-participant spectator sport, to my mind is irrelevant. ‘Twenty-two men in shorts chasing a ball on a field with white lines on’, best describes it. Overlaid with tribal identity with divisional, religious, ethnic or national overtones wrapped in easily malleable rules. This package is then given the full-on propaganda black-op press treatment keeping it foremost in all but the avid dissenters mind. Easily available and dispensed intoxicating elixir when consumed at key moments of the manically built-up event makes for a deeper implant. It’s classic misdirection. Soap opera for men occupying their lives because there’s very little else lest they turn their attention to more pressing matters. All football is rigged as it always has been. Just making the point that England rolls out 1966 to the point of nausea.
And that’s not even considering the moral implications of the money wasted on this ‘sport’.
Posted by: JBlackley, Florida on 5:56pm Fri 9 May 08
sam @ 4.15, that made me smile. Thanks.
sam @ 4.15, that made me smile. Thanks.
Posted by: Winters, Glasgow, Scotland UK on 7:10pm Fri 9 May 08
Freethinker: If you had ever refereed a football match you would know how hard it is to tell whether a moving ball is over the line or not. The main thing Freethinker, is that if Scotland had won the 1966 World Cup in such a controversial way , you wouldn't have heard a cheep from the Scots.
Freethinker: If you had ever refereed a football match you would know how hard it is to tell whether a moving ball is over the line or not. The main thing Freethinker, is that if Scotland had won the 1966 World Cup in such a controversial way , you wouldn't have heard a cheep from the Scots.
Posted by: sam, greenock on 8:13pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]JBlackley[/bold] wrote:
sam @ 4.15, that made me smile. Thanks.[/quote] Nae probs
JBlackley wrote:
sam @ 4.15, that made me smile. Thanks.
Nae probs
Posted by: Scamp on 8:17pm Fri 9 May 08
It may interest fellow readers to know that having tried and failed miserably to persuade either BBC Scotland or STV to cover the Scottish Motor Racing Club events at Knockhill the drivers and their sponsors (mainly family) clubbed together to pay for a small production company to video each race and to get it transmitted on Ch413 Motors TV once a month.
It may interest fellow readers to know that having tried and failed miserably to persuade either BBC Scotland or STV to cover the Scottish Motor Racing Club events at Knockhill the drivers and their sponsors (mainly family) clubbed together to pay for a small production company to video each race and to get it transmitted on Ch413 Motors TV once a month.
Posted by: OHO, Glasgow on 9:14pm Fri 9 May 08
Surely the point is that the BBC seem to be able to find the money to buy England matches (and the rest of us have to suffer listening to the arrogant commentary). Why not the Scotland/Ireland/Wal
es matches too? The other thing I would insist on, would be Scottish commentators to replace English ones for the Scottish broadcast of any match. They manage it for the news (replacing Scots reporters with National English ones) so we should demand it for the football.
Surely the point is that the BBC seem to be able to find the money to buy England matches (and the rest of us have to suffer listening to the arrogant commentary). Why not the Scotland/Ireland/Wal
es matches too? The other thing I would insist on, would be Scottish commentators to replace English ones for the Scottish broadcast of any match. They manage it for the news (replacing Scots reporters with National English ones) so we should demand it for the football.
Posted by: soloman, Stirling on 10:21pm Fri 9 May 08
I can't understand why if Sky is paying all this money into Sport/football and we as residents of England, Wales Ireland & Scotland all subscribe to Sky, then why does the Government not ensure that the total sum of sponsorship is not split more evenly between all the nations.
If this was the case then all the clubs would benefit rather than creating the super wealthy clubs in England.
Back to the main story!
I have a television without a standard ariel, but only tunes through Sky, when Scotlands football team play & the BBC actually show the match I can't view it through the sky box as it locks me out of the BBC I've paid my licence fee and yet I'm not allowed to view the BBC WHY?
Anyone in the UK Government available for comment please advise, probably another union dividend.
I can't understand why if Sky is paying all this money into Sport/football and we as residents of England, Wales Ireland & Scotland all subscribe to Sky, then why does the Government not ensure that the total sum of sponsorship is not split more evenly between all the nations.
If this was the case then all the clubs would benefit rather than creating the super wealthy clubs in England.
Back to the main story!
I have a television without a standard ariel, but only tunes through Sky, when Scotlands football team play & the BBC actually show the match I can't view it through the sky box as it locks me out of the BBC I've paid my licence fee and yet I'm not allowed to view the BBC WHY?
Anyone in the UK Government available for comment please advise, probably another union dividend.
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