Press Release from the Parliamentary Rugby League Group
UPDATE02: 25/01/2012
Rugby League dominates responses to BBC proposals on changes to Local Radio
Over 1000 rugby league fans answered the Parliamentary Rugby League Group call to respond to the BBC’s proposals to alter coverage of local sport on BBC Local Radio.
The Parliamentary Group, comprising MPs from all political parties, was the first to recognise the impact the proposals would have on coverage of all sport on BBC Local Radio and asked rugby league supporters to respond to the BBC making clear that the proposals would have significant impact on the sport if enacted.
The Group itself responded to the consultation and sent copies directly to BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten and BBC Chief Executive Mark Thompson asserting that the way in which BBC presented its case was unclear, asked the wrong questions and made it very difficult for people to submit responses.
Announcing the numbers, Group Chairman and Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland said “We have been informed that the BBC received 8,000 responses to their consultations on Local Radio provision, far more than they were expecting, and despite the challenges the BBC placed in front of people, it is excellent news that rugby league fans dominated the responses to the consultations with over 1,000 people and organisations writing to support rugby league coverage on the BBC.
“This demonstrates the strength of feeling of supporters of rugby league and is welcome news to Members of the Group who first brought this to the attention of the sporting community.”
The Parliamentary Group has worked to make sure other sports were aware of the consequences of the consultations and has been working closely with the RFL who in turn have been liaising with other sports governing bodies.
“I want to offer the Group’s thanks to all those that took the time to respond to the consultations – we know it was not easy – and the RFL for their work on this issue, without which the matter would not have been so widely publicised” continued Mulholland.
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UPDATE01: 13/12/2011
Parliamentary Rugby League Groups calls for historic meeting.
With the fast-approaching deadline for responses to the BBC’s consultations on cuts to local radio services – which have devastating impact on sports coverage – the Parliamentary Rugby League Group have arranged an historic meeting of all sports Groups in Parliament to come together to challenge both the BBC’s approach and the proposals they suggest.
Calling for the meeting, Rugby League Group Chairman, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland wrote to all the Sports Groups last week and a meeting is scheduled for 13th December in the Palace of Westminster.
On announcing the meeting, he said “if these cuts go ahead, they will have a devastating impact on sports output and for a sport like rugby league, which is regarded as one of the most community-focussed in the UK, it would have even great significance. It is for that reason that the Group has asked all the other Sports Groups to come together to challenge the proposals.”
The BBC’s proposals include:
• The loss of local programmes on weekday afternoons, with programmes being shared with neighbouring stations;
• The loss of all local programming between 7pm and 10pm. This means the end of any sports magazine shows, in-depth discussion about sport and the opportunity to have opinions heard, engage with clubs, officials and others involved in the game;
• Significant loss of live commentary as there will be a massive reduction in the number of games covered and with the reduction in the number of commentators at games that are broadcast any local flavour disappears;
• The loss of all local programming between 1am until the start of the breakfast show. All stations would broadcast Radio 5 Live;
• The loss of a wide number of locally-split breakfast programmes;
and
• Huge costs to any local station that wants to offer live coverage of more than one game matches of any sport as stations will be charged to use the medium wave.
The Parliamentary Group will be providing its own response to the consultations and anyone interested in sports coverage can do the same. Fans of the sport should visit www.therfl.co.uk/localradioreview to download draft answers to the online consultations.
Details of both consultations can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/local_radio.shtml
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ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION
Parliamentary Rugby League Group challenges cuts to local radio sports coverage.
Group calls for all sports to come together to challenge BBC consultation.
The Parliamentary Rugby League Group has today called for an historic meeting of all sports Groups within Parliament to challenge the way the BBC have approached cuts to local radio services.
The scale of the issue and the approach of the BBC were made apparent during a meeting of the Rugby League Group on Tuesday 29th November where the impact of the proposed cuts to local sports services was made clear.
The Group heard that the confluence of consultations from the BBC Trust and the BBC, as well as the need for the BBC to make cuts to services whilst absorbing the cost of the World Service brought together what was described by MPs as a “perfect storm” which could “destroy” local sports coverage in some areas:
· On weekday afternoons, stations would share programming with neighbours;
· On weekday evenings between 7pm and 10pm, programming would be shared across all England stations, with the exception of any live commentaries. This means
an end to any sports magazine shows;
· At other off-peak periods, programme sharing would occur at a variety of levels. Some would be akin to the regional television areas, and during the late evening in five larger areas: the North; the West Midlands; the East Midlands; the East and South East; and the West and South West;
· All stations would broadcast Radio 5 Live from 1am until the start of their breakfast programme;
· A number of locally-split breakfast programmes would end;
· Sports coverage in London would be reduced by 95%; and
· Medium Wave transmission for BBC services would end in areas of England where coverage duplicates FM with high costs to provide alternative coverage using the MW band.
Leeds North West MP and Rugby League Group Chair Greg Mulholland said “Rugby League relies on local radio more than some other sports and could be particularly badly affected. This Group has taken an interest in the issues since the consultation was announced, but now we have a better understanding of the impact of the proposals, we are very worried about the impact on reporting of the sport.”
“The Group are working hard with the RFL to ensure the true impact of the cuts is understood, and they are preparing their response and a call to action for fans of the sport. I would urge all supporters of rugby league to look at the RFL’s response and encourage all to use their work to respond to the consultation and contact their local MP.”
Group Member St Helens North MP Dave Watts said at the meeting “Whilst everyone understands that cuts clearly have to be made, the timing and approach from the BBC and the Trust has resulted in what is a confusing and arguably misleading approach which leaves people unsure as to the consequences of the proposed cuts.”
Mulholland outlined the steps the Group is taking. “We had already decided to respond to the consultations, but given the serious concerns, we are now also writing to Mark Thomson at the BBC and Chris Patten at the BBC Trust to explain how we find the BBC’s approach unacceptable and that to consult on the proposals without giving clear details of how they will impact on the service is not a real consultation.”
Mulholland went on to say that in the letter he will make clear the Group's issues with the BBC's approach:
· Without a clear written statement on the impact on rugby league (and other sports) people cannot possibly respond to the consultation.
· There is confusion over the consultations and which is best to respond to.
· Language is couched in such a way as to be confusing and to disguise impact. For example, all sports coverage lost between 7pm and 10pm on weekdays in the proposals made and there whilst there are facilities for local BBC stations to cover more than one live game, the cost to do so is hugely prohibitive.
· Timing of cuts to BBC services and requirement to absorb the World Service costs from the FCO has come at the same time as a regular consultation on BBC Local Radio from the BBC Trust.
· As part of its remit, the BBC must provide coverage suited to local
communities, what better way than through its sports coverage.
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Office:+44(0)845 056 8506
Direct: +44(0)78 111 888 93
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To download a picture of the panel taking part or visit the meetings section of the Group website.
CLICK HERE [OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW]
To see the RFL's position and draft answers to the response.
Sent by Mark Ramsdale Ltd on behalf of the Parliamentary Rugby League Group.
